The Role of International Law of the Seas on the Global Governance of Marine Climate Geoengineering Techniques

Abstract

The present article intents to discuss the regulatory international standards on the performance of techniques that deliberately intervene in the climate system, targeting Earth’s energy modification balance to reduce increases of temperature, known as ocean geoengineering activities. Firstly, it analyses the concept of those techniques, resorting to the historical global movement in the last decades to promote a solution for climate change and the characters involving its application. Realizing that harmful consequences of the use of climate geoengineering techniques may occur, this essay examines the existing international standards and regulatory framework in relation to geoengineering, entering in the content extensive United Nations Convention on the law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the application of part XIII regulating marine scientific investigations, in accordance with the provisions on the protection of the marine environment and soft law instruments. In conclusion, we seek to understand what the consequences are harmful to the marine environment, which may arise from the application of misconduct referred to techniques; taking into account the international responsibility of States for actions in your territory could cause damage to the cross-border third State.