Two significant developments in international law relating to environmental protection have occurred within the past month, according to an opinion piece in The Guardian. On 7 February, the Inter-American court of human rights, an international court in Costa Rica, issued an advisory opinion recognising the right to a healthy environment. This is important because it means that countries can now take action against companies and governments which are responsible for causing damage or pollution to the environment through their actions. This month, the international court of justice also issued its first order relating to environmental compensation in a dispute between different countries.
Two significant developments in international law relating to environmental protection have occurred within the past month, according to an opinion piece in The Guardian. On 7 February, the Inter-American court of human rights, an international court in Costa Rica, issued an advisory opinion recognising the right to a healthy environment. The opinion could provide cross-border remedies for those experiencing environmental degradation and could apply to air pollution, chemicals, climate change, and the activities of multinationals. This month, the international court of justice also issued its first order relating to environmental compensation in a dispute between different countries.