Flexibility in the Commons : Entrenching the Lessons from Kyoto in International Economic Law: A Case Study of CDM in the Energy Sector

The current state of oil exploitation in most parts of the world is less than satisfactory. Such unsatisfactory industrial standards are prevalent in the developing countries (DCs). Where there are minimal evidences of overall technological advancement. As evidenced in the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria, accidental leakages, spillages and the flaring of associated gas (AG) which results from poor practices could cause serious environmental and health hazards to humans, livestock, farmland and the entire ecosystem. Resultant effects of oil leakages and spills could cause land loss, the destruction of bio-diversity, irreparable damage to arable land and the pollution of drinking water. Therefore the economic and social spin offs from avoidable oil pollution are loss of earnings, build-up of resentment towards instituted authorities (as witnessed in the running conflict between MNOCs and host communities ). Also there is the occasioning problem of urban-flight (migration), which is another contributor to environmental problems in the DCs. This paper therefore looks at how and what International measures exist that are suitable to solving the above described menace