Description
Book SynopsisInformed by international law, international relations and environment management scholarship, this interdisciplinary analysis of environmental regimes in Asian subregions proposes a new regime for the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau based on China's cooperation with its south Asian neighbors.
After evaluating the nine existing environmental regimes across the subregions of southwest, central, southeast and northeast Asia, Simon Marsden proposes a tenth regime for the cross subregion in south and east Asia known as the Third Pole. The role of China in connection with each of the existing agreements-as lender, dialogue partner or Party-is a key aspect of the analysis, considering it in developmental, legal and political contexts. Conclusions recommend future research to progress efforts in developing such a regime and caution the need for context in any legal transplant.
This book will have a strong appeal for international environmental law and environmental planning and management researchers. Meanwhile those in international relations or international politics will find valuable insights in the book's exploration of relationships between the states of each subregion and China, whilst coverage of the regulation of oil and gas, hydroelectricity and exploitation of other resources will be of great interest to energy law scholars and practitioners.
Trade Review'The third pole sits on top of the world, and rightly so. Its pure magnificence steers global action and politics. The fate of the third pole might equal the fate of China and of man-kind, as we probably know it. Thus, one cannot overstate the relevance of this region and the topic overall. This thorough book comes with a new, and overlooked angle: The law, policies and governance instruments for this region so essential for mankind. While one might ponder whether the law for this region, for China and for global governance, acts as we know it in the western world and its courts, there is no doubt that a suitable, effective, fair and sustainable policy scheme is required for this region (also referred to as the 'water towers of the world'). This milestone publication sets the stage and offers us a fresh and hopeful look at the issue. With climate change and many other threats on the rise, we all hope for the best.' --Falk Huettmann, University of Alaska, Fairbanks
'Simon Marsden's book is extremely timely and provides a very welcomed addition to the literature on legal frameworks towards the environment in Asia. The book covers a wide variety of legal regimes from southwest to south and southeast Asia with special attention to the Tibetan Plateau and China's approach towards (transboundary) environmental governance. It will be of great help to researchers, planners, legal experts, and policy makers focusing on the protection of one of the world's most unique regions - the ''Third Pole''.'
--Clemens Kunze, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Nepal
Table of ContentsContents: 1. Introduction: Asian Subregions, Environmental Regimes and Regime Effectiveness 2. Southwest Asia: The Arabian Gulf/Gulf of Oman and the Red Sea/Gulf of Aden Regimes 3. Connecting Central Asia with Southwest, North and Eurasia: The Caspian Sea, Aral Sea, and Sustainable Development Regimes 4. Southeast Asia: The Mekong, Conservation and Haze Pollution Regimes 5. Linking South and East Asia: The Tumen Regime, China and the Third Pole Index
