Climate change and the future role of the concept of the common concern of humankind

Laura Horn

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Climate change poses a serious threat to the Earth's environment particularly if tipping points are breached and irreversible changes occur. Cooperative action by all states is required to achieve effective mitigation of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and ensure that the adverse impacts of climate change are adequately addressed. Collective action is seen through the operation of the concept of the common concern of humankind (CCH) as all states have responsibilities to take action to prevent the adverse effects of climate change on behalf of the international community. It is argued in this article that the CCH concept operates as a guiding norm concerning the protection of the atmosphere. The first section of this article discusses the findings about the CCH concept at the Legal Experts Meeting. The next section examines the views of legal commentators who consider that the CCH invokes legal implications for states and discusses the potential for further implications as a result of the links between the CCH concept with intragenerational and intergenerational equity. It will also be argued in this article that there is potential for extension to the legal implications from the concept of CCH in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to cover state responsibility for climate change displaced people and the interests of future generations.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)24-56
Number of pages33
JournalAustralian Journal of Environmental Law
Volume2
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 2015

Keywords

  • climatic changes
  • greenhouse gases

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