The Southern Bluefin Tuna Precautionary Principle As A Tool For Climate Justice Enforcement

Avantika Gautam, BBA LLB, Symbiosis Law School, Pune

ABSTRACT

The Precautionary Principle is examined in this article as a model for enforcing climate justice through the management of the critically endangered Southern Bluefin Tuna (SBT). When there is scientific ambiguity regarding the possible danger of an action, the Precautionary Principle calls for a cautious approach to decision-making. According to the notion of climate justice, priority should be given to those who are most impacted by climate change despite having the least to do with its cause. A successful application of the Precautionary Principle to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of a natural resource can be seen in the SBT case. The Precautionary Principle can be applied to climate change to support policies that lower greenhouse gas emissions and lessen the effects of the changing climate on vulnerable populations. Its limitations and difficulties, such as the lack of agreement on the proper level of caution and potential conflicts with other social and economic objectives, must be carefully considered in order for it to be applied successfully.

Keywords: Precautionary Principle, Operationalization, Climate Justice, Challenges, Implementation