Pollution under International Environmental Law

ABSTRACT: Various activities of humans especially in the industrial world in any given civilized State pose serious threat to the existence of man by way of emitting various pollutants into the environment (water, atmosphere, soil etc.) As a result of these emissions of pollutants, sovereign States have made efforts to protect the environment from pollution internationally. This is owing to the fact that man‟s existence on earth is constantly being seriously threatened as a result of activities from civilized living. Pollution of the environment occurs in almost every industrial activity as a result of emissions of pollutants. Notable examples of such acts of pollution of the environment are air pollution by artificial heating using firewood, coal, gas or oil and the burning of fossil fuels and forests – increases the atmospheric carbon dioxide and leads to increase in the warmth of the earth. The research considered the various instruments regulating pollution in the international plane. The research found that sovereign States should ensure that various industrial activities carried out within their jurisdictions are so done in line with international standards and agreements so as not to cause damage to a neighbouring State via pollution. More so, State parties to international agreements on protection of the environment against pollution should uphold and apply the agreements in their various States.
KEYWORDS: Pollution, Environment