Abstract
International conventions are the most important source of international maritime and fresh water law as well as the primary instruments of cooperation in the field of water resource utilization. Numerous international agreements, global and regional, multilateral and bilateral, that deal with water-related issues have been signed over time. This chapter explores how environmental principles have been incorporated in international maritime and fresh water agreements and international case law. The analysis shows that these instruments are increasingly focusing on the importance of environmental protection and most of them now include environmental principles. However, the fragmentation and the complexity of maritime and freshwater governance urge the evolution of international law towards better harmonisation and implementation of environmental principles.