The Environment as a Commodity? An ecofeminist analysis of the extent to which associations between security and the environment have altered the perception of the environment in international law

The growing evidence that humanity has entered the Anthropocene raises significant concerns over the existential survival of individuals, states, and of life on Earth itself. In response to the increasingly global nature of environmental problems, international environmental law (IEL) has emerged to facilitate collective efforts by states to mitigate ecological harm. In more recent times, the role of IEL has centred on addressing the balance between development, economic growth, and the need to protect the environment for future generations. In light of mounting evidence over the role of environmental degradation and the negative impact of humanity’s activities on the Earth, concerns over how such destruction can exacerbate conflict and undermine security, development, and economic growth have been raised by the United Nations Security Council and other international forums. The increasing associations between environment and security in international circles and by states poses the questions of how states perceive the ‘environment’ and for what reasons do they protect it? This thesis examines the extent to which this convergence between environment and security alters the way in which the international community seek to protect the environment, and in turn, what this suggests about their perception of the environment. Drawing on ecofeminist theory to develop an analytical framework, it examines the preparatory reports and outcome texts from eight environmental regimes in relation to three areas of international environmental law-making. It examines who participates in the development of IEL in order to reveal any tensions between the principle of participation included in sustainable development, and the exclusionary practices in some environmental areas that are closely connected to the environment and national interests. It then considers the justifications for the integration of other non-environmental considerations, such as development, economic, security, and technology into IEL, and their influence on states’ perception of the environment. The thesis concludes that despite the broader participation by NSAs in the development of IEL, changes in states’ priorities over time, and the growing convergence between security and environment, the western anthropomorphic perception of the environment prevails in law-making at an international level.