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Papers by Carla Sbert

Vermont Law Review, 2021

Much of the discussion and debate about the sustainability aspects of NAFTA’s replacement, the Ca... more Much of the discussion and debate about the sustainability aspects of NAFTA’s replacement, the Canada-US-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) in Canada, the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in the United States or the Tratado Mexico-Estados-Unidos-Canada (T-MEC) in Mexico, takes place largely within the contours of the trade and environment, and more broadly, the sustainable development policy arenas that have arisen since the Rio Earth Summit and the integration of trade and the environment in NAFTA in the 1990s. Within these arenas, shared commitments of the international community to globalization of trade, to sustained “green” growth and to strong protection of private property and state sovereignty are treated as essential, or at least axiomatic, for progress toward ever increasing wealth and well-being. Ecological law is emerging from a strong critique of this normative framework for sustainability. The lens of ecological law is an analytical tool for critiquing existing laws and identifying the major affinities and inconsistencies with ecological law. The lens is organized around three core principles of ecological law: ecocentrism, ecological primacy and ecological justice. We apply the lens of law to the CUSMA-USMCA to reveal the considerable gap between its provisions regarding the environment and sustainability and the more ecocentric, holistic law and policy regime of ecological law.

aBstract: Four indigenous communities in Mexico have initiated amparos seeking constitutional pro... more aBstract: Four indigenous communities in Mexico have initiated amparos seeking constitutional protection against mining concessions that have allegedly violated their constitutional rights. In addition to their significant implications for indigenous rights in Mexico, these amparos are part of a growing reaction against laws that prioritize mining interests over community land uses and ecological values. This article explores the relationship of these cases with a new legal paradigm that is emerging in response to the inability of environmental law to adequately address the deepening ecological crisis: ecological law. From an ecological law perspective, these amparos are of interest because of the possibility for courts to give priority to indigenous values ascribing spiritual, ecological and relational meanings to the land and its resources, over economic interests seeking to exploit the land and resources for commercial gain without regard to ecological limits. The article introduces a " lens of ecological law " conceived to understand the nature of the required shift from the current law to ecological law, and then examines the amparo filed by the community of San Miguel del Progreso–Júba Wajíín from this standpoint. The analysis shows that the provisions of the Mining Law challenged by the amparo pose serious obstacles for ecological law (prioritizing mining over any other land use), and it points to certain synergies between indigenous rights and ecological law. While the SCJN did not examine the merits of the amparo because the concessions had been withdrawn, the amparo offers insights into the challenges facing a shift away from the current legal paradigm. resuMen: Cuatro comunidades indígenas en México han iniciado juicios de amparo por presuntas violaciones a sus derechos constitucionales en el otorga-miento de concesiones mineras respecto de sus territorios. Estos amparos tienen implicaciones importantes para los derechos indígenas en México, pero además, reflejan la creciente oposición a leyes que dan prioridad a intereses mineros por encima de usos comunitarios del territorio y valores ecológicos. Este artículo explora la relación entre estos casos y un nuevo paradigma jurídico —el derecho ecológico— que está emergiendo para responder al fracaso del derecho ambien-tal ante la crisis ecológica. Estos amparos son de interés desde una perspectiva de derecho ecológico en tanto que abren la posibilidad de que la corte dé pre-eminencia a valores indígenas que otorgan significados espirituales, ecológicos y relacionales al territorio, en vez de dársela a intereses económicos de explotación comercial que son indiferentes a los límites ecológicos. El artículo presenta una " lente de derecho ecológico " diseñada para apreciar la naturaleza del cambio que implicará pasar del derecho actual a un modelo de derecho ecológico, y esta lente se aplica para examinar el amparo promovido por la comunidad de San Miguel del Progreso–Júba Wajíín. Se muestra que las disposiciones de la Ley Minera en cuestión representan obstáculos importantes para la adopción del derecho ecológico (la priorización de la minería sobre otros usos del suelo). Asimismo, se revela cierta sinergia entre los derechos indígenas y el derecho ecológico. Si bien la SCJN no examinó el fondo del amparo, dado que la em-presa titular abandonó las concesiones, el amparo permite vislumbrar algunos de los retos que plantea el cambio de paradigma jurídico hacia el derecho ecológico. PaLaBras cLave: Derecho ecológico, derechos indígenas, protección ambien-tal, legislación minera, Constitución Mexicana (reforma de 2001).

Global society faces a deepening ecological crisis that will force profound changes, 1 including ... more Global society faces a deepening ecological crisis that will force profound changes, 1 including a transformation in the consumption and production of goods and services. 2 Current, and especially future, generations of human and other life will fare better if this transformation is actively pursued as soon as possible. At its core is a shift away from a growth-insistent economic model, especially in developed countries, to an economy that operates within the planet's biophysical limits, with much reduced material-energy

Thesis Chapters by Carla Sbert

uOResearch thesis repository, 2019

Ecological law is a legal paradigm that is emerging in response to the current ecological crisis.... more Ecological law is a legal paradigm that is emerging in response to the current
ecological crisis. This thesis explores the main challenges and opportunities in existing
laws, particularly in the context of mining, for a shift to this new paradigm. A synthesis
of the main critiques, scientific and economic concepts, legal scholarship and proposals
that contribute to the theory of ecological law is presented, along with a discussion of the
relationship and potential synergies of ecological law with Indigenous legal traditions and
with Green Legal Theory. An analytical tool to help improve the understanding of what a
shift to ecological law would entail–a lens of ecological law–is proposed, building on
ecological law scholarship. The lens of ecological law consists of three principles of
ecological law: ecocentrism, ecological primacy and ecological justice. This lens is
applied to three different legal approaches to mining in order to reflect on the
implications for a shift to ecological law in this sector: El Salvador’s ban on metal
mining; mineral extraction proposed in Ontario’s Ring of Fire; and mining in the context
of the rights of Mother Earth and vivir bien recognized in Bolivian law. Conclusions on
the obstacles and opportunities for a shift to ecological law in mining, and
recommendations on the ecological law re-formation of mining and on further research
are offered in closing. Ecological law promises to be an important part of building an
ecologically just society.
---
Le droit écologique est un paradigme juridique qui émerge en réponse à la crise
écologique actuelle. Cette thèse explore les principaux défis et opportunités des lois
existantes, en particulier dans le contexte de l'exploitation minière, pour passer à ce
nouveau paradigme. Une synthèse des principales critiques, concepts scientifiques et
économiques, études juridiques et propositions contribuant à la théorie du droit
écologique est présentée, ainsi qu'une discussion sur les relations et les synergies
potentielles du droit écologique avec les traditions juridiques autochtones et avec la
Théorie juridique verte (Green Legal Theory). Un outil analytique permettant de mieux
comprendre ce qu’impliquerait un passage au droit écologique - la lentille du droit
écologique - est proposé, en s’appuyant sur les travaux du droit écologique. La lentille du
droit écologique repose sur trois principes du droit écologique: l'écocentrisme, la
primauté écologique et la justice écologique. Cette lentille s’applique à trois approches
juridiques différentes de l’exploitation minière afin de réfléchir aux implications d’un
changement vers le droit écologique dans ce secteur: l’interdiction de l’extraction minière
des métaux au El Salvador; l’extraction minière proposée dans la ceinture de feu de
l’Ontario; et l'exploitation minière dans le contexte des droits de la Mère nourricière et du
concept andin de vivir bien reconnu par la législation bolivienne. Des conclusions sur les
obstacles et les possibilités de passer au droit écologique minier, ainsi que des
recommandations sur la réforme radicale de l’extraction minière s’appuyant sur le droit
écologique et sur des recherches plus poussées sont proposées en conclusion. Le droit
écologique promet d’être un élément important de la construction d’une société
écologiquement juste.

Books by Carla Sbert

Edward Elgar Publshing, 2020

Containing an in-depth study of the emerging theory and core of ecological law, this book insight... more Containing an in-depth study of the emerging theory and core of ecological law, this book insightfully proposes a 'lens of ecological law' through which the disparity between current laws and ecological law can be assessed. The lens consists of three principles: ecocentrism, ecological primacy and ecological justice. These principles are used within the book to explore and analyse the challenges and opportunities related to the transition to ecological law and to examine three key mining case studies.

Vermont Law Review, 2021

Much of the discussion and debate about the sustainability aspects of NAFTA’s replacement, the Ca... more Much of the discussion and debate about the sustainability aspects of NAFTA’s replacement, the Canada-US-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) in Canada, the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in the United States or the Tratado Mexico-Estados-Unidos-Canada (T-MEC) in Mexico, takes place largely within the contours of the trade and environment, and more broadly, the sustainable development policy arenas that have arisen since the Rio Earth Summit and the integration of trade and the environment in NAFTA in the 1990s. Within these arenas, shared commitments of the international community to globalization of trade, to sustained “green” growth and to strong protection of private property and state sovereignty are treated as essential, or at least axiomatic, for progress toward ever increasing wealth and well-being. Ecological law is emerging from a strong critique of this normative framework for sustainability. The lens of ecological law is an analytical tool for critiquing existing laws and identifying the major affinities and inconsistencies with ecological law. The lens is organized around three core principles of ecological law: ecocentrism, ecological primacy and ecological justice. We apply the lens of law to the CUSMA-USMCA to reveal the considerable gap between its provisions regarding the environment and sustainability and the more ecocentric, holistic law and policy regime of ecological law.

aBstract: Four indigenous communities in Mexico have initiated amparos seeking constitutional pro... more aBstract: Four indigenous communities in Mexico have initiated amparos seeking constitutional protection against mining concessions that have allegedly violated their constitutional rights. In addition to their significant implications for indigenous rights in Mexico, these amparos are part of a growing reaction against laws that prioritize mining interests over community land uses and ecological values. This article explores the relationship of these cases with a new legal paradigm that is emerging in response to the inability of environmental law to adequately address the deepening ecological crisis: ecological law. From an ecological law perspective, these amparos are of interest because of the possibility for courts to give priority to indigenous values ascribing spiritual, ecological and relational meanings to the land and its resources, over economic interests seeking to exploit the land and resources for commercial gain without regard to ecological limits. The article introduces a " lens of ecological law " conceived to understand the nature of the required shift from the current law to ecological law, and then examines the amparo filed by the community of San Miguel del Progreso–Júba Wajíín from this standpoint. The analysis shows that the provisions of the Mining Law challenged by the amparo pose serious obstacles for ecological law (prioritizing mining over any other land use), and it points to certain synergies between indigenous rights and ecological law. While the SCJN did not examine the merits of the amparo because the concessions had been withdrawn, the amparo offers insights into the challenges facing a shift away from the current legal paradigm. resuMen: Cuatro comunidades indígenas en México han iniciado juicios de amparo por presuntas violaciones a sus derechos constitucionales en el otorga-miento de concesiones mineras respecto de sus territorios. Estos amparos tienen implicaciones importantes para los derechos indígenas en México, pero además, reflejan la creciente oposición a leyes que dan prioridad a intereses mineros por encima de usos comunitarios del territorio y valores ecológicos. Este artículo explora la relación entre estos casos y un nuevo paradigma jurídico —el derecho ecológico— que está emergiendo para responder al fracaso del derecho ambien-tal ante la crisis ecológica. Estos amparos son de interés desde una perspectiva de derecho ecológico en tanto que abren la posibilidad de que la corte dé pre-eminencia a valores indígenas que otorgan significados espirituales, ecológicos y relacionales al territorio, en vez de dársela a intereses económicos de explotación comercial que son indiferentes a los límites ecológicos. El artículo presenta una " lente de derecho ecológico " diseñada para apreciar la naturaleza del cambio que implicará pasar del derecho actual a un modelo de derecho ecológico, y esta lente se aplica para examinar el amparo promovido por la comunidad de San Miguel del Progreso–Júba Wajíín. Se muestra que las disposiciones de la Ley Minera en cuestión representan obstáculos importantes para la adopción del derecho ecológico (la priorización de la minería sobre otros usos del suelo). Asimismo, se revela cierta sinergia entre los derechos indígenas y el derecho ecológico. Si bien la SCJN no examinó el fondo del amparo, dado que la em-presa titular abandonó las concesiones, el amparo permite vislumbrar algunos de los retos que plantea el cambio de paradigma jurídico hacia el derecho ecológico. PaLaBras cLave: Derecho ecológico, derechos indígenas, protección ambien-tal, legislación minera, Constitución Mexicana (reforma de 2001).

Global society faces a deepening ecological crisis that will force profound changes, 1 including ... more Global society faces a deepening ecological crisis that will force profound changes, 1 including a transformation in the consumption and production of goods and services. 2 Current, and especially future, generations of human and other life will fare better if this transformation is actively pursued as soon as possible. At its core is a shift away from a growth-insistent economic model, especially in developed countries, to an economy that operates within the planet's biophysical limits, with much reduced material-energy

uOResearch thesis repository, 2019

Ecological law is a legal paradigm that is emerging in response to the current ecological crisis.... more Ecological law is a legal paradigm that is emerging in response to the current
ecological crisis. This thesis explores the main challenges and opportunities in existing
laws, particularly in the context of mining, for a shift to this new paradigm. A synthesis
of the main critiques, scientific and economic concepts, legal scholarship and proposals
that contribute to the theory of ecological law is presented, along with a discussion of the
relationship and potential synergies of ecological law with Indigenous legal traditions and
with Green Legal Theory. An analytical tool to help improve the understanding of what a
shift to ecological law would entail–a lens of ecological law–is proposed, building on
ecological law scholarship. The lens of ecological law consists of three principles of
ecological law: ecocentrism, ecological primacy and ecological justice. This lens is
applied to three different legal approaches to mining in order to reflect on the
implications for a shift to ecological law in this sector: El Salvador’s ban on metal
mining; mineral extraction proposed in Ontario’s Ring of Fire; and mining in the context
of the rights of Mother Earth and vivir bien recognized in Bolivian law. Conclusions on
the obstacles and opportunities for a shift to ecological law in mining, and
recommendations on the ecological law re-formation of mining and on further research
are offered in closing. Ecological law promises to be an important part of building an
ecologically just society.
---
Le droit écologique est un paradigme juridique qui émerge en réponse à la crise
écologique actuelle. Cette thèse explore les principaux défis et opportunités des lois
existantes, en particulier dans le contexte de l'exploitation minière, pour passer à ce
nouveau paradigme. Une synthèse des principales critiques, concepts scientifiques et
économiques, études juridiques et propositions contribuant à la théorie du droit
écologique est présentée, ainsi qu'une discussion sur les relations et les synergies
potentielles du droit écologique avec les traditions juridiques autochtones et avec la
Théorie juridique verte (Green Legal Theory). Un outil analytique permettant de mieux
comprendre ce qu’impliquerait un passage au droit écologique - la lentille du droit
écologique - est proposé, en s’appuyant sur les travaux du droit écologique. La lentille du
droit écologique repose sur trois principes du droit écologique: l'écocentrisme, la
primauté écologique et la justice écologique. Cette lentille s’applique à trois approches
juridiques différentes de l’exploitation minière afin de réfléchir aux implications d’un
changement vers le droit écologique dans ce secteur: l’interdiction de l’extraction minière
des métaux au El Salvador; l’extraction minière proposée dans la ceinture de feu de
l’Ontario; et l'exploitation minière dans le contexte des droits de la Mère nourricière et du
concept andin de vivir bien reconnu par la législation bolivienne. Des conclusions sur les
obstacles et les possibilités de passer au droit écologique minier, ainsi que des
recommandations sur la réforme radicale de l’extraction minière s’appuyant sur le droit
écologique et sur des recherches plus poussées sont proposées en conclusion. Le droit
écologique promet d’être un élément important de la construction d’une société
écologiquement juste.

Edward Elgar Publshing, 2020

Containing an in-depth study of the emerging theory and core of ecological law, this book insight... more Containing an in-depth study of the emerging theory and core of ecological law, this book insightfully proposes a 'lens of ecological law' through which the disparity between current laws and ecological law can be assessed. The lens consists of three principles: ecocentrism, ecological primacy and ecological justice. These principles are used within the book to explore and analyse the challenges and opportunities related to the transition to ecological law and to examine three key mining case studies.