Circular Economy and International Law

Our earth’s supply of natural resources is depleting while mountains of waste are piling up. Killing two birds with one stone, scientists recommend a transformation towards a circular economy. Nevertheless, explicit regulation to implement such an economic model is still missing. With due regard to the global scope of the increasing this issue, the question arises whether relevant rules on these issues can be extracted from existing international law. This book examines if an integrated analysis of different fields of international law leads to an implicit obligation for states to undertake a transition towards a circular economy. By assessing the related provisions under international environmental law as well as under human rights law, it aims to reveal if they imply a mandatory economic shift. The analysis will differentiate between relevant provisions concerning the issue of resource depletion on the one hand, and the current law governing waste management on the other hand. In a second step, the environmental and social demands will be balanced with the states’ sovereignty in order to determine if an implicit obligation to transform the economy can be detected.

Vivien Wefringhaus is completing her legal internship at Landgericht Bochum. Her research at the Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict concentrates on international environmental law as well as human rights law in the field of circular economy.