Examining the balance between energy security and public health in international investment law with an emphasis on nuclear energy

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Ph.D. Student in International Law at Tehran university, Faculty of Law and Political Science, Tehran university, Tehran, Iran

2 Professor of department of Public and International Law, Faculty of Law and Political Science, Tehran university, Tehran, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law and Political Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

10.22059/ses.2024.380611.1084

Abstract

A delicate balance between energy security and public health within the framework of international investment law, with a focus on the nuclear energy industry, is desirable. Nuclear energy plays a significant role in meeting the world's energy needs. However, the environmental and health hazards associated with this industry, including the risk of radioactive leaks and the production of nuclear waste, have raised serious global concerns. In this context, substantial investments in the nuclear industry have created conflicts between the interests of investors and the requirements of environmental protection and human health. One of the fundamental characteristics of law is the regulation of economic and social relations in various fields. Energy is one of the most important and influential components in social, political, and economic relations. The importance of energy is undeniable. Energy problems have always been a fundamental issue for all countries. The exploitation of energy resources is in the hands of governments, but developments in the international community and international law have led to limitations on governments in exploiting energy resources. Excessive use of energy has confronted the world with two simultaneous threats: one, the lack of access to secure and sufficient energy at affordable prices, and the other, the threat to human health resulting from excessive energy consumption. This article seeks to understand how these two needs can be addressed in a balanced manner, ensuring both the attraction of investment for energy resources and the avoidance of the impact that energy resources can have on public health.

Keywords

Main Subjects


[1]. Hashempour, A., Arashpour, A. Prevention and Compensation for Environmental Damage in Nuclear Spent Fuel Management. Public Law Studies Quarterly, 2019; 49(2): 573-589. doi: 10.22059/jplsq.2018.239882.1571. [Persian]
[2]. Usefi, R, Soleymani , M, Ghasemi, A, Fatahi, S. Definition of energy security and description and analysis of energy security indicators. The 4th Energy and Environment Management Conference, Tehran, Hamandishan Energy Kimia Company, 1393. [Persian]
[3]. Aminzadeh, E., Nikbakhsh Sharafshade, A Comparative study on the ownership and sovereignty of the state oil and gas resources. Journal Of Researches Energy Law Studies, 2015; 1(1): 1-16. doi: 10.22059/jrels.2015.54549. [Persian]
[4]. Grey, C. N., Jiang, S., Nascimento, C., Rodgers, S. E., Johnson, R., Lyons, R. A., & Poortinga, W. (2017). The short-term health and psychosocial impacts of domestic energy efficiency investments in low-income areas: a controlled before and after study. BMC public health, 2017, 17(1), 140 doi:10.1186/s12889-017-4075-4
[5]. Nikbakht, H., Beykmohammadi, M., Bagheri, F. Legal Approach to New Arrangements in Foreign Investments and its Impact on Sustainable Development. Public Law Studies Quarterly, 2020; 50(1): 217-237. doi: 10.22059/jplsq.2019.228642.1482. [Persian]
[6]. Soykenar M, Coșkun S. Society and health effects of aspects an overview of nuclear energy. TAF Preventive Medicine Bulletin, 2015, 14(1), 65-70.
[7]. Siqueira DS, de Almeida Meystre J, Hilário MQ, Rocha DH, Menon GJ, da Silva RJ. Current perspectives on nuclear energy as a global climate change mitigation option. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change. 2019 Jun 15;24:749-77.
[8]. Xie Y, Peng Y, Yüksel S, Dınçer H, Uluer GS, Çağlayan Ç, Li Y. Consensus-based public acceptance and mapping of nuclear energy investments using spherical and pythagorean fuzzy group decision making approaches. IEEE Access. 2020 Nov 11;8:206248-63.
[9]. Kim, Y. Rhee, D. E. Do Stringent Environmental Regulations Attract Foreign Direct Investment in Developing Countries? Evidence on the “Race to the Top” from Cross-Country Panel Data. Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, 2019, 55(12), 2796–2808. doi: 10.1080/1540496X.2018.1531240
[10]. Elkins Z, Guzman AT, Simmons BA. Competing for Capital: The Diffusion of Bilateral Investment Treaties, 1960–2000. International Organization. 2006;60(4):811–46. doi:10.1017/S0020818306060279
[11]. Madsen PM. Does corporate investment drive a “race to the bottom” in environmental protection? A reexamination of the effect of environmental regulation on investment. Academy of Management Journal. 2009 Dec;52(6):1297-318.
[12]. Saghayi, The approach of the international responsibility system of governments in environmental damages. Law Studies Quarterly, 2020; 8(6) 134-117. [Persian]
[13]. Wagner UJ, Timmins CD. Agglomeration effects in foreign direct investment and the pollution haven hypothesis. Environmental and Resource Economics. 2009, 43(2), 231-256.
[14]. ziaee, S. Y. Status of Environmental Obligations in International Investment Law. Public Law Researsh, 2015; 15(42): 191-224. [Persian]
[15]. Rees-Evans, L. The Protection of the Environment in International Investment Agreements – Recent Developments and Prospects for Reform. European Investment Law and Arbitration Review Online, 2020, 5(1), 355-391.
[16]. Fitzmaurice, M. The International Court of Justice and the environment. Non-State Actors and International Law, 2004, 4(3) 173-197.
[17]. Joneidi, L., Keshavarzi, G. An Analysis of Provisional Application of Energy Charter Treaty in Light of “Yukos shareholders vs. Russia ˮ, and a Comparison with the Iranian legal system. Public Law Studies Quarterly, 2017; 47(4): 841-871. doi: 10.22059/jplsq.2017.224350.1440. [Persian]
[18]. Wealer B, Bauer S, Hirschhausen CV, Kemfert C, Göke L. Investing into third generation nuclear power plants-Review of recent trends and analysis of future investments using Monte Carlo Simulation. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2021 Jun 1;143:110836.
[19]. Mirabbasi, S. B., Siavashpour, H. Diplomatic Protection under International Investment Treaties. Public Law Studies Quarterly, 2019; 49(4): 1109-1125. doi: 10.22059/jplsq.2017.231248.1503. [Persian]
[20]. Essien, V. World Bank, ICSID and Other Subjects of Public and Private International Law. Fordham International Law Journal, 1995, 19(2), 818-831
[21]. Tudor I. The Fair and Equitable Treatment Standard in the International Law of Foreign Investment. Oxford University Press Oxford; 2008.
[22]. Zhu Y. Fair and Equitable Treatment of Foreign Investors in an Era of Sustainable Development. Natural Resources Journal. 2018 Jul 1;58(2):319-64.
[23]. Orakhelashvili, A. The Normative Basis of "Fair and Equitable Treatment": General International Law on Foreign Investment. Archiv des Völkerrechts (AVR), 2008, 46(1), 74-105.
[24]. Hui-fang, Y. Study on the Principle of Investors' Legitimate Expectations. Hebei Law Science, 2010, 28(4), 75-79.
[25]. Bakhtiarvand, M., Jamali Nezhad, S. The right to public health in the light of development of intellectual property enforcement rules. Public Law Studies Quarterly, 2019; 49(3): 961-980. doi: 10.22059/jplsq.2018.244768.1608. [Persian]
[26]. Djundic, P. Measures for protection of the environment and the breach of a foreign investor's rights. Zbornik Radova: Pravni Fakultet u Novom Sadu, 2011, 45(2), 341-358. doi: https://doi.org/10.5937/zrpfns1102341D
[27]. Titi, C. Police Powers Doctrine and International Investment Law. General Principles of Law and International Investment Arbitration, 2018 ,14, 323-343.
[28]. Cheng, T. Power, Authority and International Investment Law. American University International Law Review, 2005, 20(3) ,465-520.
[29]. ameri, F. -Human Rights Energy: with special reference to the part of government contracting economic erase Keywords. Public Law Researsh, 2009; 12(29): 161-198. [Persian]
[30]. Henckels C. PERMISSION TO ACT: THE LEGAL CHARACTER OF GENERAL AND SECURITY EXCEPTIONS IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INVESTMENT LAW. International and Comparative Law Quarterly. 2020;69(3):557–84. doi:10.1017/S0020589320000135