Do developing countries have anything to fear from international environmental law?

Historically, developing countries have often been wary of international environmental agreements, fearing that environmental regulation would limit their ability to grow economically.

But, on the whole, international environmental law has been more of a boon than a bane for developing countries. True, it has failed to solve many of the problems of greatest concern, such as climate change and trade in hazardous wastes. But it has made some headway, while largely insulating developing countries from the burden of onerous regulations. The lecture will explore why developing countries have little to fear from international environmental law, and will conclude with a Top 10 list of ways that it can be their friend rather than their foe.

Presented by Professor Daniel Bodansky, Foundation Professor of Law in the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, Arizona State University. Professor Bodansky is in Australia as the Ingram Visiting Fellow at UNSW Law. The Ingram Visiting Fellowship is funded by the Ingram Fund for International Law and Development, generously donated to UNSW Law by Mr James Ingram AO, former Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme. The purpose of the Fund is to promote the study, teaching and dissemination of international law at UNSW and to foster understanding of the impact of law on the interests of developing countries.