Lunch Seminar: The Ocean climate nexus through ITLOS advisory proceedings

Table with a computer and some water

About the seminar

In the era of advisory opinions at both international and regional levels, the Commission of Small Island States on Climate Change and International Law (COSIS) requested the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) to render an advisory opinion on States Parties’ obligations under Part XII of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Taking into account the great significance of oceans as sinks and reservoirs of greenhouse gases, the Tribunal will have to shed light upon the specific obligations of States Parties’ to prevent, reduce and control pollution from the marine environment and to protect and preserve the marine environment from climate change impacts, including ocean warming, sea-level rise, and ocean acidification.

Towards the global ambition of mitigation and adaptation to climate change, the interplay between the climate regime and the Convention was highlighted in both written submissions and oral pleadings of States and Intergovernmental Organizations, relied on scientific evidence. Considerations were also given to customary international rules and general principles of law (due diligence, duty to cooperate on good faith, principles of precaution and equity etc.). Therefore, ITLOS, shall interpret the provisions of the Convention in an evolutionary manner, proving its capability to respond to emerging challenges.

About the speaker

Nikolaos Karampatzos is a Greek lawyer (Piraeus Bar Association, July 2020). He graduated with a bachelor of laws degree from the Democritus University of Thrace and with a master of laws degree (LLM) in International Maritime Law from the University of Swansea (UK). In August 2019, as part of his dissertation project, he completed a research internship at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), where he studied how the IMO and the United Nations system function. Currently, Nikolaos is a PhD candidate at the School of Law of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. His research topic is ‘Climate Change Implications on the Oceans: Adapting Legal Approaches under UNCLOS and International Law’, on which he has already published.

Registration

For participation in the event please use this registration form no later than 6 November 2023 12.00.