Environmentalism and an International Court For The Environment

The world is witness to the increase in ecological threats and crisis from diverse sources which has resulted to a gradual decline of its biodiversity. Though international environmental governance seeks to address the issue, it is quite evident that existing international legal and governance mechanisms are not potent enough to adequately address this decline. There is a general agreement on the need for a paradigm shift in this regard – but in what direction? Is it possible that in light of the trans-boundary nature of many of the existing environmental threats and degradation as well as their sources and the responsible entities, an International Court for the Environment (ICE) may just be a pragmatic means to an effective governance regime? This paper thoughtfully lends a voice in support of the establishment of an ICE. An examination of the concept of environmentalism as it relates to international adjudication and the divergent views on the proposal for an ICE lay foundation for the submission that the principles of international environmental law provide desirability and justifications for the proposed ICE. Therefore, environmentalists are on course in the call for a specialist environmental court.