Justine Irene Bendel

What do you research?

 My work focuses broadly on enforcement issues in international environmental and climate change law, with a particular emphasis on the impacts of international law on forests. I have studied the role of international courts and tribunals in solving environmental disputes, and specifically at how they can help fighting deforestation. As their role is somewhat limited, I am both interested in improving their procedures so that they can be better equipped, and also in how other international instruments are enforced at the national level, where international courts cannot be used directly.

Why is it so important?

 It is important because there are currently so many rules and obligations pertaining to the protection of the environment, but their enforcement is not always clear and can lead to contradictory results. This is why the role of courts and other enforcement bodies is crucial, as it is a space where all the rules come together, and where decisions have to be made as to how they interact with each other In the context of deforestation for example, GHG emissions reduction and biodiversity conservation do not always easily coincide. But at the implementation level, the same bodies have to show their compliance with both sets of rules. As there is no clear guide about how to prioritise or interpret these diverging environmental rules in compatible ways, my research aims at finding ways to a more effective implementation.

A project you are proud of?

 In the area of international litigation, I have created a body of work that shows the possibilities that are offered through international judicial decisions. We are in a time where international courts and tribunals take a pivotal role in shaping international environmental and climate change law, and my two books (to be published in the coming months), entitled “Litigating the environment” and “Public interest litigation in international law” both aim at showing how international courts can have a positive impact on the protection of the environment. Let’s hope they don’t disappoint!

Updated December 2022

Through her participation in the Mary Centre’s Policy Fellowship, Justine has among others worked with Paolo Perotti, Chief Legal Officer, Ministry of Environment (Policy Fellowship 2022-23 – Green transition).