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Power, Resources, and Justice: Evaluating International Courts in Settling Transboundary Natural Resource Conflicts

Indonesian Journal of Environmental Law and Sustainable Development · Vol. 3 No. 2 (2024) · pp. 309–334

DOI
10.15294/ijel.v3i2.40216
ISSN
2829-9590, 2829-9582
Published
2024-07-31
Publisher
Universitas Negeri Semarang
Language
eng
License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

Abstract

Transboundary natural resource disputes—ranging from water rights and mineral extraction to fishing zones—pose complex challenges to the international legal system, often threatening regional stability, economic development, and diplomatic relations. This paper evaluates the effectiveness of international courts in resolving such disputes between sovereign states, focusing on how legal principles, judicial authority, and enforcement mechanisms interact to manage conflicts over shared resources. By examining case studies from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), arbitral tribunals, and other relevant judicial bodies, the study assesses both successes and limitations in achieving equitable and sustainable outcomes. The analysis highlights key factors that influence the effectiveness of international adjudication, including the clarity of legal norms, the willingness of states to submit to jurisdiction, the availability of evidence, and the political and economic stakes involved. While international courts have demonstrated the ability to provide neutral platforms, clarify legal obligations, and shape normative expectations, enforcement challenges and state resistance often limit their practical impact. Moreover, complex scientific, environmental, and technical issues can complicate judicial decision-making, particularly in disputes over shared watercourses, fisheries, and transboundary natural resources. Despite these challenges, the paper argues that international courts play a critical role in promoting accountability, preventing escalation, and guiding cooperative resource management. The study concludes that while courts cannot guarantee compliance or resolve all conflicts, their jurisprudence significantly contributes to the development of international law, offers frameworks for negotiation, and encourages peaceful, rules-based resolution of disputes. Strengthening legal frameworks, promoting regional cooperation, and enhancing compliance mechanisms are essential to maximize the impact of judicial intervention in resource conflicts.

Keywords

Collaboration network of the authors

40 authors · 127 co-authorship links · showing the 40 most connected

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Co-authorOrganisationJoint articles
Muhammad Azil MaskurAffiliation unknown8
Anis WidyawatiAffiliation unknown4
Pujiyono PujiyonoAffiliation unknown4
Irma CahyaningtyasAffiliation unknown4
Dede IndraswaraAffiliation unknown3
Rohadhatul AisyAffiliation unknown3
Ridwan ArifinAffiliation unknown3
Shofriya Qonitatin AbidahAffiliation unknown2
Rafli Zidan Eka RamadhanAffiliation unknown2
Batari LaskarwatiAffiliation unknown2
Bayangsari WedhatamiAffiliation unknown2
Ubaidillah KamalAffiliation unknown2
Syukron SalamAffiliation unknown2
Aprila NiravitaAffiliation unknown2
Iqbal SyariefudinAffiliation unknown2
Rasdi RasdiAffiliation unknown2
Indah Sri UtariAffiliation unknown2
Yustina Dhian NovitaAffiliation unknown1
Muhamad Helmi Md SaidAffiliation unknown1
Silvia FerginaAffiliation unknown1
Siti NurmalaAffiliation unknown1
Tiara Syifa NandaAffiliation unknown1
Nadya Nur OktavianiAffiliation unknown1
Miftakhul IhwanAffiliation unknown1
Cahya FadillahAffiliation unknown1
Saktiani Nurul HidayahAffiliation unknown1
Diana Marlisye HeryantoAffiliation unknown1
Dona FebianiAffiliation unknown1
Fateema MuslihatunAffiliation unknown1
Fateema Muslihatun NajihahAffiliation unknown1
Ery Agus PriyonoAffiliation unknown1
Ali Umar HarahapAffiliation unknown1
Achmad BusroAffiliation unknown1
Zico Junius FernandoAffiliation unknown1
Aris HardinantoAffiliation unknown1

Affiliations come from OpenAlex; journal OAI-PMH metadata carries none. Authors without an OpenAlex ID are matched by name, which can merge or split people.

Metadata source: OAI-PMH (metadata jurnal) https://journal.unnes.ac.id/journals/ijel/oai, first harvested 5 Nov 2026, last seen 5 Nov 2026.
Original metadata (oai_dc) 
<oai_dc:dc xmlns="http://www.openarchives.org/OAI/2.0/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:oai_dc="http://www.openarchives.org/OAI/2.0/oai_dc/" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.openarchives.org/OAI/2.0/oai_dc/  http://www.openarchives.org/OAI/2.0/oai_dc.xsd">
	<dc:title xml:lang="en">Power, Resources, and Justice: Evaluating International Courts in Settling Transboundary Natural Resource Conflicts</dc:title>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Wijayanti, Aprilia</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Fikri, Wildan Azkal</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Purnomo, Didik</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Kusuma, Bagus Hendradi</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Sumardiana, Benny</dc:creator>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">International Courts</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Natural Resources</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Transboundary Disputes</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">State Sovereignty</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Conflict Resolution</dc:subject>
	<dc:description xml:lang="en">Transboundary natural resource disputes—ranging from water rights and mineral extraction to fishing zones—pose complex challenges to the international legal system, often threatening regional stability, economic development, and diplomatic relations. This paper evaluates the effectiveness of international courts in resolving such disputes between sovereign states, focusing on how legal principles, judicial authority, and enforcement mechanisms interact to manage conflicts over shared resources. By examining case studies from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), arbitral tribunals, and other relevant judicial bodies, the study assesses both successes and limitations in achieving equitable and sustainable outcomes. The analysis highlights key factors that influence the effectiveness of international adjudication, including the clarity of legal norms, the willingness of states to submit to jurisdiction, the availability of evidence, and the political and economic stakes involved. While international courts have demonstrated the ability to provide neutral platforms, clarify legal obligations, and shape normative expectations, enforcement challenges and state resistance often limit their practical impact. Moreover, complex scientific, environmental, and technical issues can complicate judicial decision-making, particularly in disputes over shared watercourses, fisheries, and transboundary natural resources. Despite these challenges, the paper argues that international courts play a critical role in promoting accountability, preventing escalation, and guiding cooperative resource management. The study concludes that while courts cannot guarantee compliance or resolve all conflicts, their jurisprudence significantly contributes to the development of international law, offers frameworks for negotiation, and encourages peaceful, rules-based resolution of disputes. Strengthening legal frameworks, promoting regional cooperation, and enhancing compliance mechanisms are essential to maximize the impact of judicial intervention in resource conflicts.</dc:description>
	<dc:publisher xml:lang="en">Universitas Negeri Semarang</dc:publisher>
	<dc:date>2024-07-31</dc:date>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/article</dc:type>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion</dc:type>
	<dc:format>application/pdf</dc:format>
	<dc:identifier>https://journal.unnes.ac.id/journals/ijel/article/view/40216</dc:identifier>
	<dc:identifier>10.15294/ijel.v3i2.40216</dc:identifier>
	<dc:source xml:lang="en">Indonesian Journal of Environmental Law and Sustainable Development; Vol. 3 No. 2 (2024): July-December, 2024; 309-334</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2829-9590</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2829-9582</dc:source>
	<dc:language>eng</dc:language>
	<dc:relation>https://journal.unnes.ac.id/journals/ijel/article/view/40216/8049</dc:relation>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en">https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0</dc:rights>
</oai_dc:dc>