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Tay, Simon --- "Transboundary pollution in a global economy: general principles and problems in practice" [2015] ELECD 552; in Jayakumar, S.; Koh, Tommy; Beckman, Robert; Phan, Duy Hao (eds), "Transboundary Pollution" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2015) 36

Book Title: Transboundary Pollution

Editor(s): Jayakumar, S.; Koh, Tommy; Beckman, Robert; Phan, Duy Hao

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781784715786

Section: Chapter 2

Section Title: Transboundary pollution in a global economy: general principles and problems in practice

Author(s): Tay, Simon

Number of pages: 15

Abstract/Description:

In the exercise of sovereignty, the actions of States can result in transboundary pollution, impacting other States that have limited ability to address environmental issues across borders. This situation invokes the tension between the ecological reality of our interconnected world and the political structures of international governance, which includes the development of international law. In exploring this issue, this chapter discusses how a study of issues surrounding traditional transboundary pollution can be broadened to one framed by the trade-environment nexus in international law. It argues that transboundary pollution should be seen not only through the simple and longer-established lens of environmental harms that are traceable physically from one country to another. Instead, this chapter discusses approaches that consider the less visible links of economic interdependence. Global law approaches considering the national law of the States involved and actors below the level of the State are necessary. The chapter concludes with some observations on the general principles that may apply to transboundary pollution, particularly with regard to ASEAN in dealing with the recurrence of forest fires and haze pollution in Southeast Asia.