ABSTRACT

Ecological integrity is concerned with protecting the planet in a holistic way, while respecting ethics and human rights. Over recent years it has been introduced directly and indirectly in several legal regimes, culminating in international law with the 2016 expanded remit of the International Criminal Court, which now includes "environmental disasters".

This book celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Global Ecological Integrity Group (GEIG), which includes more than 250 scholars and independent researchers worldwide, from diverse disciplines, including ecology, biology, philosophy, epidemiology, public health, ecological economics, and international law. It reviews the role of ecological integrity across a number of fields through inter- and trans-disciplinary engagement on matters affecting and governing the sustainability of life for both present and future generations. These include, ethics, environmental disasters, crimes against humanity and environmental health, and how such issues can be subject to sound governance and be incorporated into international law. The book also looks forward to new applications of the concept of ecological integrity, such as crimes that result in the exploitation of natural resources and the illegal dispossession of land.

chapter |3 pages

Introduction

The development of the Global Ecological Integrity Group’s research and its future aims

part I|51 pages

Ecological integrity, ethics and the law

chapter 1|12 pages

The state versus the environment

The ethical and legal implications for state non-action in protecting the foundations of life

chapter 4|9 pages

Funding policy choices

Tax and global financial secrecy

part II|72 pages

Public health, environmental disasters and crimes against humanity

chapter 6|10 pages

Reforming reparations for mass human rights abuses

A Canadian model

chapter 8|12 pages

Navigating complexity, promoting health

Insights from the emergence of ‘Ecohealth’ and ‘One Health’

chapter 9|9 pages

Trading health

A community health impact assessment perspective of the Trans-Pacific Partnership

part III|41 pages

New challenges to global governance

chapter 13|10 pages

The reactionary turn in American environmental policy

The Trump effect

chapter 14|8 pages

Moving from environmental law to ecological law

Frameworks, priorities and strategies

chapter 16|10 pages

Planet ocean and marine protected areas

An Opportunity for Ecological Commons Governance

part IV|63 pages

The future of ecological integrity

chapter 21|10 pages

Can the Earth Charter movement be renewed?

The covenantal promise of the Earth Charter movement

chapter |9 pages

Conclusion

The ever-increasing importance of ecological integrity in international and national law