THE GLOBALIZATION OF SOVEREIGNTY:
THE EVOLUTION OF SOVEREIGNTY
VIEWED FROM AN ENVIRONMENTAL PERSPECTIVE

The doctrine of sovereignty is evolving. The growing influence of both foreign states and individuals on sovereigns, coupled with the information revolution, has broadened the expectations we have of our sovereigns. Fulfilling these expectations is requiring sovereigns to develop a more global view, expanded links with other sovereigns. This can be termed a "globalization of sovereignty," not in the sense of global sovereigns, but in the sense of sovereigns who must look at issues from a global perspective, and work on the international level to fulfill their domestic responsibilities.

From the environmental perspective, eco-labeling schemes provide one example of how states can benefit from sovereignty's globalization. Eco-labels encourage the improvement of foreign environmental practices by channelling sales to environmentally conscious producers. They capitalize on the globalization of sovereignty by taking advantage of expanding international economic and commercial links. Not having a direct extra-jurisdictional effect, eco-labels conform with the principles of sovereignty, if not its spirit, but by offering a unilateral means of influencing foreign environmental practices, they provide a hint about the possible evolution of the sovereignty doctrine. Eco-labeling schemes are in step with developments in the concept of sovereignty -- neither too exciting nor too ambitious for the moment, but one more measure that raises questions about how the sovereignty doctrine will evolve.