Global Earth Observation for Compliance of International Environmental Agreements
- Paper number
IAC-05-E6.1.02
- Author
Ms. Masami Onoda, Kyoto University, Japan
- Year
2005
- Abstract
It was the view of Earth from outer space that inspired the human society to take steps to preserve the global environment as a hole. Global Earth observation, as part of systematic observations in the international environmental agreements, is an obligation that States should cooperate to achieve, in order to monitor and enhance compliance to the agreements. This paper will identify the change that has taken place regarding global Earth observation in the context of international environmental law, and how it could effectively serve its role in the framework of the agreements. Today, States regard the global environment as a new value, which should be protected and sustained for the next generation. To protect this value, many new legal instruments as well as principles originating from the features of the environment have emerged, including the polluter pays principle, common but different responsibilities, and the precautionary principle. The aim of this paper is to streamline such an agreed value, through the environmental principle, down to its implementation phase, and to analyze through state agreement and practice if the vision of Earth observation as part of an environmental framework is realizable. Legal consideration would be the basis of discussion, taking into account political and technical aspects as required. It should serve as a case study on whether legal instruments could be effective in ensuring implementation of an international framework based on a harmonization of national policies and science and technology initiatives. It will also be discussed how the vision has affected, or will affect, the field of traditional space law, in terms of responsibility and procedures.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-05-E6.1.02.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.