Perhaps “principles of international law”, is overselling this section.  We are really only going to consider one aspect that is becoming more prevalent in Europe, life cycle analysis.  As the international community works on its pledges to sustainable development, it looks for tools to help it make decisions that are balanced.

Life Cycle Analysis

Life cycle analysis looks at a project, product or process environmental impact from raw resources to final disposal.  Sometimes society is trying to find the right path but the choices are confusing and polarized black and white views are shared.  These polarized views hinder our decision making particularly with the environment when environmental issues can be nuanced rather than black and white.

A classic consideration is the question of electric vs gasoline cars.  Which is better.  We have to consider the carbon content of the vehicle as well as emissions.  Battery vehicles tend to much lower, even with the high carbon content of batters, when the are kept longer and driven further. Life cycle analysis can help us conclude it is not one size fits all.

Europe, as in the European Union, is considering life cycle as part of emerging regulations to ensure that balanced choices are being made.