The Evolving Role of Citizens in United States-Canadian International Environmental Law Compliance

Abstract

Citizen participation is critical in environmental law compliance. While citizens often have a major role in advancing compliance with domestic environmental law, citizens have historically had a much more limited role in international environmental law. However, a new model is emerging North America. The role of citizens in United States-Canadian international environmental law compliance has expanded greatly over the past several decades. Beginning in the 1970's with increased public participation in binational governance agreements and expanding in the past two decades to formal roles in monitoring implementation of international environmental agreements, citizen participation is now central in the United States-Canadian international environmental legal regime.

Keywords: Canada, Citizen Enforcement, Transboundary Pollution

JEL Classification: K32, K33