Precautionary Pulp: Pulp Mills and the Evolving Dispute between International Tribunals over the Reach of the Precautionary Principle

Abstract

While the term "precautionary principle" is much used, its status, its applicability, and even its definition are not clear.The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea has applied the precautionary principle in environmental cases.The World Trade Organization has refused to apply the principle, but, in dicta, has suggested that it should be applied in environmental cases.The International Court of Justice has traditionally been reticent on the issue.