A Review on International Organisations' Action and Influence on Environmental Law when Addressing an Environmental Problem
| Author | Freya Elizabeth Patten |
| Position | Bsc Environmental Science (Soton), MA Law Conversion (ULaw), Training Contract with DLA Piper 2024 |
| Pages | 31-41 |
(2022) Vol. 12
A Review on International Organisations’ Actions and Influence on
Environmental Law When Addressing an Environmental Problem
Case Study – Climate Change
Freya Elizabeth Patten*
Abstract
The influence on environmental law is of interest and relevance due to the effects of climate change which is seen
throughout the world. It is unclear from research if the organisations which were directly created to tackle climate
change, have achieved their aims or influenced environmental legislation and policies globally. Us ing peer-
reviewed journals and government documentation, the literature used in this review evaluates the impact of
environmental organisations on the development of environmental legislation. In particular, exploring the history
of the two organisations1, this review will discuss the actions of these organisations, the influence they have had
in multiple environmental areas, and the challenges they have faced on the way.
The research from this review may help contribute to knowledge known in the environmental organisations and
answer questions relating to the growth and purpose of environmental legislation. It will benefit policymakers and
environmental academics to understand how vital these environmental organisations are in shaping environmental
legislation and awareness globally.
Introduction
nvironmental law bridges policy and action to protect the environment and encourage
sustainable development by providing a supportive structure for the system of
environmental governance2. Environmental awareness is reflected in a growth of
environmental laws3, both in the UK and internationally. The first recorded environmental law
appeared in the 14th century with a man executed for burning coal in London which produced
excessive smoke4. However, only in the 18th century was there evidence showing humans were
causing environmental damage – despite this, protective legislation was very slow to appear5.
* Bsc Environmental Science (Soton), MA Law Conversion (ULaw), Training Contra ct with DLA Piper 2024.
1 Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change ‘About the IPCC ’ [2021] < https://www.the IPCC.ch/about/ >
accessed on 23rd July 2021; United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, ‘Process and Meetings’
[2021] < https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings#:2cf7f3b8-5c04-4d8a-95e2-f91ee4e4e85d, > accessed 21st July
2021.
2 Hakeem Ijaiya, ‘The Role of United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) to the Development of
International Environmental Law’ (2017) 3 Journal of Science Sciences 185.
3 Nadia Rocha and others, ‘Handbook of Deep Trade Agreements: Environmental Law Washington World Ba nk
Group’ [2020] 553.
4 Stanley Johnson ‘UNEP the First 40 Years A Narrative’ [2012] United Nations Environmental Programme
Nairobi: UNON < http://www.unep.org/40thanniversary/ >.
5 David Hensher, Handbook of Transport a nd the Environment (4th edn, Amsterdam Boston Elsevier 2003).
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