Regulating disasters? The role of international law in disaster prevention and management

Purpose – This article explores the role of international law in disaster prevention and management, with a particular focus on the emerging field of international disaster law, and its relationship with international human rights law. It further introduces the four articles of the special column of this journal issue, dedicated to disasters and international law. Design/methodology/approach – The analysis is based upon primary sources of legislation and policy, as well as academic literature on disasters and international law. Findings – Although the field of international disaster law is at its infancy, we argue that this emergent area does have the potential to gain widespread recognition as a distinct field of law, and that this could be of benefit for the wider disaster management community. Originality/value – The article introduces key legal features and themes relating to international law and disasters, highlighting their relevance for disaster management. The added value is to widen the discussion on aspects of disasters regulated by international law, thus facilitating the future exchange with other academic subjects and operational fields. Keywords – disasters; international law; disaster management; treaties; human rights; international disaster law; international human rights law. Paper type – Research pape

SLIDES: Best Management Practices for Oil and Gas Development and Comparative Water Quality Database of Regulations Relating to Shale Oil and Gas

Presenter: Matt Samelson, J.D., Attorney, Consultant for Intermountain Oil and Gas Best Management Practices (BMP) Project, Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy and the Environment, University of Colorado Law School 34 slide

AGENDA: What the Frack? How Your Investments Can Impact the Fracking Industry

Sustainable Impact Investment Advisors, a professional association of investment advisors whose practices focus on sustainable and socially responsible investing, sponsored a panel conversation on hydraulic fracking. A panel of experts, including industry representatives and grass roots opponents, discussed the pros and cons of fracking. The panel provided an overview of fracking, and food for thought about whether you choose to include this industry in your investments, or influence companies to use this technology with only the utmost care

AGENDA: What the Frack? How Your Investments Can Impact the Fracking Industry

Sustainable Impact Investment Advisors, a professional association of investment advisors whose practices focus on sustainable and socially responsible investing, sponsored a panel conversation on hydraulic fracking. A panel of experts, including industry representatives and grass roots opponents, discussed the pros and cons of fracking. The panel provided an overview of fracking, and food for thought about whether you choose to include this industry in your investments, or influence companies to use this technology with only the utmost care

AGENDA: Best Management Practices (BMPs): What? How? And Why?

The Environmentally Friendly Drilling Systems (EFD) Program, managed by the Houston Advanced Research Center, works to identify, develop and transfer critical, cost effective, new technologies that can provide policy makers and industry with the ability to develop natural gas reserves in a safe and environmentally friendly manner. Funding for the EFD Program is through a grant from the Research Partnership to Secure Energy for America, established under the 2005 Energy Act. Within the EFD Program, some projects focus on technologies for developing energy sources in environmentally sensitive areas; others (like the NRLC’s BMP Project) seek ways to reduce the environmental footprint in all types of environments. The EFD Program currently provides the majority of funding for the Intermountain Oil and Gas BMP project. The EFD Program holds quarterly workshops to share ideas among the program partners, sponsors, and with the broader community. The NRLC hosted the EFD\u27s quarterly meeting in a workshop on May 26, 2011 at the Wolf Law Building on the University of Colorado campus. With presentations from EFD project researchers and perspectives invited from all participants, the May, 2011 EFD workshop explored the value of different methods for incorporating BMPs into a development as well as the benefits and cost of implementing BMPs. See the NRLC\u27s Intermountain Oil and Gas BMP Project for more information on BMPs and how they can be implemented in oil and gas development

AGENDA: Best Management Practices (BMPs): What? How? And Why?

The Environmentally Friendly Drilling Systems (EFD) Program, managed by the Houston Advanced Research Center, works to identify, develop and transfer critical, cost effective, new technologies that can provide policy makers and industry with the ability to develop natural gas reserves in a safe and environmentally friendly manner. Funding for the EFD Program is through a grant from the Research Partnership to Secure Energy for America, established under the 2005 Energy Act. Within the EFD Program, some projects focus on technologies for developing energy sources in environmentally sensitive areas; others (like the NRLC’s BMP Project) seek ways to reduce the environmental footprint in all types of environments. The EFD Program currently provides the majority of funding for the Intermountain Oil and Gas BMP project. The EFD Program holds quarterly workshops to share ideas among the program partners, sponsors, and with the broader community. The NRLC hosted the EFD\u27s quarterly meeting in a workshop on May 26, 2011 at the Wolf Law Building on the University of Colorado campus. With presentations from EFD project researchers and perspectives invited from all participants, the May, 2011 EFD workshop explored the value of different methods for incorporating BMPs into a development as well as the benefits and cost of implementing BMPs. See the NRLC\u27s Intermountain Oil and Gas BMP Project for more information on BMPs and how they can be implemented in oil and gas development

AGENDA: Water, Oil and Gas 101

Program co-chairs: Sarah Klahn, Matthew Sura; planning committee: Susan Daggett, Kathryn Mutz. This full-day program, cosponsored by the Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute (Sturm College of Law, University of Denver), the Colorado Bar Association CLE, and White & Jankowski, LLP, was the first of a 3-part series focusing on water, oil and gas issues of critical interest in Colorado. The first program provided an overview of the pertinent law and issues generated when the water, oil and gas industries interact; and addressed water quality concerns and the purchasing of water from municipalities for hydraulic fracturing and drilling. Program #2 is scheduled for June 11; Program #3 for August 16

AGENDA: Water, Oil and Gas 101

Program co-chairs: Sarah Klahn, Matthew Sura; planning committee: Susan Daggett, Kathryn Mutz. This full-day program, cosponsored by the Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute (Sturm College of Law, University of Denver), the Colorado Bar Association CLE, and White & Jankowski, LLP, was the first of a 3-part series focusing on water, oil and gas issues of critical interest in Colorado. The first program provided an overview of the pertinent law and issues generated when the water, oil and gas industries interact; and addressed water quality concerns and the purchasing of water from municipalities for hydraulic fracturing and drilling. Program #2 is scheduled for June 11; Program #3 for August 16

AGENDA: Water, Oil and Gas: Recycling and Reuse of Water

Program co-chairs: Sarah Klahn, Matthew Sura; planning committee: Susan Daggett, Kathryn Mutz. Co-sponsored by: Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy and the Environment, University of Colorado Law School, Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute, Sturm College of Law, University of Denver, Natural Resources & Energy Section of the Colorado Bar Association. This program is the second in a 3-part series focusing on critical water, oil and gas issues in Colorado. This second program focuses on the technology behind the recycling of produced water and hydraulic back fracturing flowback fluid and the issue of mandatory recycling. It also addresses the legal implications of water reuse and opportunities in Colorado. The programs gather top legal, water, and energy/technical experts to share their extensive experience and expertise with you. This series provides a solid foundation on technical aspects, legal frameworks, and potential regulations and controls involved when natural resources of vital importance to Colorado - water, oil and gas- cross paths. The first program provided an overview of the pertinent law and issues generated when the water, oil and gas industries interact; addressed water quality concerns and the sourcing of water from municipalities and beyond for hydraulic fracturing and drilling. The third program will explore the ins and outs of landowner/oil and gas company negotiations with a focus on water interests and other issues brought to the attention of planners at the first and second programs. This series provides a great opportunity to get up to speed on high profile issues of utmost importance in Colorado