Edward Elgar Publishing Research Handbook on Polar Law (Research Handbooks in Environmental Law series)

This timely Research Handbook explores the concept of polar law as a coherent body of law and as a set of rules and principles that applies to both the Arctic and Antarctic. It captures the evolution of polar law and policy, identifying future directions for research in this emerging and growing field. Expert international contributors analyse the concept of polar law across a range of areas including human rights, bioprospecting, tourism, environmental protection and fisheries management. They examine how Antarctic and Arctic regional regimes contribute to polar law, scrutinizing international treaties, agreements and arrangements. With a focus on the evolution of polar law in the context of the Anthropocene, chapters cover key issues related to the poles, such as climate change, minerals exploration and boundary disputes. Demonstrating the benefits of polar as opposed to bipolar law, this Research Handbook provides a critical assessment of contemporary challenges to the field. Incorporating a diverse range of themes and topics, this Research Handbook will be a valuable resource for academics and students of polar law as well as those interested in how international law applies to the polar regions. It will also be beneficial for diplomats and policy makers working in polar law and policy fields. Review ‘This book provides a comprehensive and engaging analysis of the Polar regions, largely through a legal lens complemented by historical, political and scientific perspectives. The volume explores the complexity of regimes governing the polar regions, in a way that is both practical and user friendly, by focusing on the issues they are designed to address. The book deepens our knowledge and understanding of not only the regional Arctic and Antarctic legal regimes and governance structures, but also how they unite, through a set of common values, to form a tapestry of “Polar Law”. This book advances the literature and will be an excellent resource for researchers interested in discovering and analysing the complex nature of “Polar Law”.’ -- Claudia Sosin and Erika Techera, The Polar Journal‘The political, social and physical context of the polar regions makes the application of laws there distinctive. There are homelands, disputed territories, fertile oceans, unique lifeforms and electric skies, connected by icy nature-scapes. They have hidden riches of scientific information about our world that is of universal importance. This book, edited by Karen Scott and David VanderZwaag, brings the best authors on polar topics together to highlight points of convergence and divergence essential for a comprehensive understanding of legal custodianship.’ -- Julia Jabour, University of Tasmania, Australia About the Author Edited by Karen N. Scott, Professor of Law, School of Law, University of Canterbury, New Zealand and David L. VanderZwaag, Professor of Law and Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Ocean Law and Governance, Marine and Environmental Law Institute, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University, Canada