Exploring International Legal Governance of Global Solar Fuels

This paper critically examines the role of international law in establishing the appropriate governance framework for enhanced global collaboration on solar fuels. It will particularly evaluate the right to enjoy the benefit of scientific progress and its applications (REBSPA) in article 15 of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Consideration will also be given to the role of declaring natural and artificial photosynthesis ‘common heritage of mankind’ under a UNESCO Declaration and ultimately a United Nations Convention and the impact this might have in relation to intellectual monopoly privileges (IMPs) such as patents and their capacity to advance or hinder progress in the field. It also briefly considers the role that trade and investment law and the possibility of a global carbon price may have in shaping the solar fuels field.