International Environmental Negotiations
FLETCHER SCHOOL OF LAW AND DIPLOMACY (DHP P231)
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (DUSP 11.364)
NOT OFFERED 2012-2013
Global environmental policy concerns (e.g., climate change, ozone depletion, deforestation, acid rain, ocean dumping, desertification, fisheries decline, biodiversity, and forest loss) have become increasingly important in international relations. This seminar looks at the problems of achieving development while maintaining natural systems and capital. This requires negotiating multilateral environmental agreements that can effectively manage common resources, take joint action to prevent global commons degradation, achieve transboundary pollution control, and the dilemmas of harmonizing environmental standards. At the core of these three problems are issues of how best to structure international negotiations.
The class will operate as a research seminar. After examining the present treaty system and how it is negotiated, each student will be expected to prepare a prescriptive case analysis of an international environmental negotiation. Students should have background in negotiation and international relations.
