Journal of Law and Political Economy

This research examines the international climate change regime, critically assessing the extent to which it is underpinned by the growth-oriented, mainstream conceptualization of sustainable development. The study first outlines the shortcomings characterizing the concept of sustainable development, as well as differences which exist between its mainstream and more progressive conceptualizations. Subsequently, it adopts a post-sustainable-development perspective to identify elements within the international climate change regime that reflect and normalize the mainstream conceptualization of sustainable development. Although climate change treaties “shall be based on best available scientific knowledge,” the literature reveals that mainstream sustainable development ontology is built upon shaky assumptions, including the feasibility of decoupling global economic growth from ecological pressures. Nonetheless, the three climate change treaties have increasingly been influenced by the mainstream conceptualization of sustainable development, thereby legitimizing and crystallizing its underlying assumptions. This article advocates for a scientifically grounded reconceptualization of sustainable development, or a complete replacement of the concept with ecologically centered alternatives.