Douglas de Castro
Biography
He is Post-doc (International Economic Law, FGV-Law School S.P., Brazil) – Grant CNPQ/PNPD (Federal government): in December 2014, I was selected to join the research team of the Global Law Center and Development of the São Paulo Law School FGV, which Prof. Michelle Ratton Sanchez Badin coordinates. Projects as a senior researcher
Research Interest
a. Neo-extractivism in International Law;
b. Sustainability in the Belt Road Initiative – the Green Bandung spirit;
c. Third World Approaches to International Environmental Law;
d. Mix-methods approaches in Social Sciences research.
Abstract
"Reimagining Global Environmental Governance: A Critical Legal Perspective on Biodiversity and Sustainability in the Anthropocene"
Abstract
In the Context of Accelerating Biodiversity loss and Environmental Degradation, the International legal Framework for Environmental Sustainability Remains Fragmented, Anthropocentric, and often Insufficient to address the Complexities of the Anthropocene. This speech Critically examines the structural limitations of current global environmental governance and proposes a transformative approach to advancing biodiversity and sustainability through the lens of international law and critical legal studies. The analysis focuses on the role of international legal instruments, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Paris Agreement, in perpetuating power imbalances between the Global North and South and prioritizing economic growth over ecological integrity. By deconstructing the neoliberal foundations of these frameworks, the speech advocates for a reorientation of environmental law towards principles of ecological justice, pluriversality, and the rights of nature. The discussion also explores the potential of critical legal approaches to challenge dominant paradigms, such as the commodification of nature and the marginalization of Indigenous knowledge systems. By centering decolonial and post-humanist perspectives, the speech highlights the need for a more inclusive and equitable legal architecture that recognizes the interconnectedness of all life forms and the intrinsic value of biodiversity. Ultimately, the presentation calls for a paradigm shift in global environmental governance—one that moves beyond technocratic solutions and embraces a holistic, justice-oriented approach to safeguarding the planet for future generations.
