'Treaty Congestion' in International Environmental Law

Abstract

This is an extended version of a contribution to the forthcoming Routledge Handbook of International Environmental Law. It focuses on the phenomenon of which commentators have tied to the rapid expansion of international environmental law in recent decades. Arguably the number of international instruments has hampered implementation. In particular, the lack of coordination in the face of proliferation and the lack of capacity challenge the operationalizing international environmental obligation by necessary and sufficient laws, policies, programs and plans. This contribution considers the issue of treaty congestion, and makes suggestions for how it might be overcome.