21FS RF: Law of Sustainable Development, University of Lucerne: Episode 6

Summarises the findings in this second part of the course "Law of Sustainable Development" with a special focus on mainstreaming sustainable development in international law. Discusses and analyses the potential of the UN SDGs in overcoming the childhood disease of the Brundtland-Report and the risk of history repeating itself through empowering a few wealthy states in defining the priorities for sustainable development in developing countries. Finally quickly takes note of two very recent court rulings in Germany and in the Netherlands regarding the protection against climate change as part of the human right to life. Goes together with mandatory reading and the following questions to be addressed in class:

What could turn out to be problematic with regard to sustainable development when mandating Shell to reduce its CO2-emmissions by 45% until 2030?

Assuming that the protection against climate change assumes general recognition as human or fundamental right worldwide - are all dimensions of sustainable development therewith more or less equally well protected in international law?