Introduction to International Law for Environmental Law Students

This lesson will introduce American environmental law students to general principles of international law, with some examples of how such principles create and influence international environmental law.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the lesson, the student will be able to:

1. Define customary international law as generally accepted principles and rules of law, even if those principles have not been written into a treaty or other agreement.
2. Analyze the two requirements that a rule or principle must meet to be accepted as customary international law.
3. Describe the kinds of situations that are likely to prompt nations to enter into international treaties to resolve environmental problems.