The dignity of nature : ethical analysis of international environmental law and environmental human rights

Abstract

This research examines the ethical implications in the international tools for protecting the environment, namely International Environmental Law and Human Rights Law. This is important because the cultural and moral beliefs are the pillars of all human constructions. As such, they are important for the understanding of the underlying logic of our international systems which are supposed to protect the environment. By using environmental ethics as a basis, the research analyse the structure and language of documents from both International Environmental law and Human Rights Law. Furthermore, it exemplifies its findings with relevant case studies and case law. It argues for a systematic change in the international legal systems, concerning the moral perception of nature.