The Case for Large Participatory Conferences as a Means of Decision Making in International Environmental Law

Abstract

As global environmental concerns such as climate change draw ever greater attention, there are increasing demands for national governments to engage in coordinated, internationally consistent decision making on environmental mandates, standards, and related matters. Are large participatory conferences the best means to achieve effective, consensus-based decision making in international environmental law? This article proposes two sets of reasons to answer this question affirmatively. First, legal reasons, since several sources of international law point to an incipient right to public participation in international environmental decision making, which could be satisfied by convening these conferences. And second, normative reasons, since allowing for participation is more consistent with the fundamental principles of liberty and equality, and participatory processes enhance the acceptance of the decisions and at the same time augment the possibilities of implementation.