Common but Differentiated Responsibilities

Cullet, Philippe

Abstract

The principle of common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR) is the emanation of equity in international environmental law. It reflects the division of the world between the global South and the global North, which has been a structuring element of environmental regimes. This chapter explores the concept of differential treatment in international environmental law, its evolution and its implementation in environmental regimes. It then focuses specifically on CBDR and its recognition in environmental treaties. The next section discusses specifically CBDR in the climate change regime where it has been particularly important and controversial, and carries on by examining the continuing relevance of CBDR in the 2020s and the need for rethinking the ways in which it is implemented.

Citation

Cullet, P. (2021). Common but Differentiated Responsibilities. In M. Fitzmaurice, M. Brus, & P. Merkouris (Eds.), Research Handbook on International Environmental Law, 2nd edition (209-228). Edward Elgar. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781786439710.00017

• Acceptance Date: Jun 13, 2021
• Publication Date: Nov 12, 2021
• Deposit Date: Aug 6, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 26, 2021
• Pages: 209-228
• Book Title: Research Handbook on International Environmental Law, 2nd edition
• ISBN: 9781786439703
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4337/9781786439710.00017