The Extent of Protection for the Environment Provided by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea: From "Freedom to Pollute" to "Duty to Prevent"

Abstract

This paper examines the extent of the environmental protection provided by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. In particular focus is the protection against pollution of the maritime environment. This paper describes the legal history of the Convention and analysis its legal framework. It shows that the Convention brought a shift in the emphasis from “freedom of the seas” to “duty to protect”. Finally, possible amendments for a stronger protection of the environment are described.