Environmental Justice Organisations, Liabilities and Trade

Ejolt Report 4: Legal avenues for EJOs to claim environmental liability

EJOLT Report 4.

Abstract

Questions of global justice raise within transnational relations in the light of an ever increasing number of instances of massive environmental damage and human rights violations, resulting from the operation of multinational corporations (MNCs). This paper appraises the different national and international (judicial and non-judicial) fora that are available to hold MNCs accountable. On the basis of recent judicial developments concerning civil liability claims by victims of the operations of MNCs in various countries, it explores the circumstances under which national, transnational and international litigation, either by itself or in interaction with each other, have proven most effective in providing redress. It concludes that transnational cluster-litigation is the most efficient strategy to tighten the meshes of judicial action upon MNCs, hence promoting the international rule of law and contributing, albeit modestly, to foster (corrective) global justice.

Key words: corporate accountability, corporate social responsibility, environmental justice, environmental liability, international courts, multinational corporations, national courts, polluter pays principle, precautionary principle

Authors: Antoni Pigrau, Susana Borràs, Jordi Jaria i Manzano, Antonio Cardesa-Salzmann