4. Sovereignty

This chapter delves into the complex relationship between state sovereignty and international obligations concerning resource depletion and waste management. It begins by examining the demands of international environmental law and human rights law, which call for the transformation of economies into circular ones to safeguard resources and minimize waste. The analysis then explores the concept of sovereignty, its historical development, and its implications on potential obligations. The chapter scrutinizes the interlink between economic decisions and sovereignty, questioning whether a mandatory economic transformation can be reconciled with the state's right to decide upon its economic system. It also considers the disparate situations of less developed countries, highlighting the challenges they face in establishing adequate waste management systems and the need for international cooperation and support. The chapter concludes by proposing a framework for balancing the conflicting interests of sovereignty, human rights, and environmental concerns, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation and the differentiated responsibilities of states in addressing global environmental issues.