Direito Internacional do Ambiente: uma abordagem temática

Since 2007, I have been teaching the course on International (and European Union) Environmental Law as part of the Master’s program at the Faculty of Law, University of Lisbon. As I do not consider myself a strict internationalist, I do not feel equipped to produce comprehensive lecture notes to accompany the classes. Instead, I have been writing occasional texts on topics within the field. Every year, during the general part of the seminars, I distribute the texts now compiled in this book to master’s students for analysis and debate following an introduction to each chapter. This thematic approach is deliberately broad and topical. Each year, the seminar focuses on a different theme, but I begin with a phase in which I present students with the fundamental concepts of International Environmental Law. This includes understanding how this new branch of law emerged, its objectives, sources, and the particularities of its implementation and monitoring mechanisms. After this brief overview, the texts are analyzed, followed by more in-depth readings suggested in the basic bibliography. It may not be the most conventional approach—and perhaps it is not a definitive format—but the response from readers will indicate whether this methodology warrants further development. At present, this is what my availability allows. I hope that this book fulfills its pedagogical purpose and stimulates fruitful research, both my own and that of others.