Energy intersects with the environment at all stages of its life cycle by affecting nature and public health and is subject to government measures concerning low-carbon growth, energy efficiency and conservation, renewable energy and ecologically safe supply of nuclear and other energy resources. This timely book provides a comprehensive analysis of the role of international economic law in regulating such an energy-environment nexus under the regimes of the WTO, the Energy Charter Treaty, regional trade agreements and investment treaties. The author discusses the international environmental and economic law foundations of this nexus and extensively examines relevant rules, jurisprudence and practices regarding trade restrictions, subsidies, technical standards, investment protection and technology policies. This book highlights the existing gaps and 'greening' solutions within the framework of international economic law. Where relevant, it draws comparisons between trade law and investment law to show their similarities, differences and (potential) conflicts at the energy-environment interface.

‘This is the most comprehensive treatment of the regulation of energy from an environmental perspective so far. The legal and economic logic of interventions in both the trade as well as the investment spheres is brought into light through the very competent writing of the author, who must also be complemented for expressing in a clear-cut understandable manner a very demanding topic. A book that no academic or practitioner working in this area can afford to overlook.’

Petros C. Mavroidis - Edwin B. Parker Professor of Foreign and Comparative Law, Columbia Law School

‘This book offers a groundbreaking perspective by interlinking energy policy with environmental legal principles. Shadikhodjaev’s unique approach lies in merging these often distinct fields, providing new insights into how international legal frameworks can address environmental challenges arising from energy consumption. This pioneering analysis, which critically evaluates existing legal structures and proposes innovative solutions for integrating energy policies with environmental protection, marks a significant contribution to the evolving international legal narrative. Shadikhodjaev’s work sets a precedent in the field, serving as a vital guide for future policy and legal development.’

Julien Chaisse - Professor of Law, City University of Hong Kong & President, Asia Pacific FDI Network

‘Energy and the Environment is a part of the research works of Sherzod Shadikhodjaev, a recognized expert in international economic law … Issues such as sustainable development, technological advancements, and the resurgence of protectionist policies highlight the need for substantial updates to WTO legal texts. His research serves as a catalyst, encouraging further scholarly engagement in order to adapt WTO rules to meet the demands of the twenty-first century.’

Phuong Ngoc Tran Source: Asian Journal of International Law

‘Shadikhodjaev bridges the gap between the trade and investment law regimes in tackling the contemporary challenges posed by the energy transition and environmental protection. His work makes a significant contribution to existing legal scholarship by advancing a more integrated understanding of how international economic law can better accommodate sustainability goals, such as climate change mitigation and net-zero transition, in the evolving global energy landscape.’

Mandy Meng Fang Source: Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law

‘Energy and the Environment … proves to be a particularly useful companion to those who work in the energy or international environmental law sectors, in policy and practice, and want to gain insight into how these areas are regulated. Likewise, it provides academics in our area with leads for new research strands, specifically with regard to pro-environment standards, the regulation of green technologies, and managing the ‘regulatory chill’. And this is … something that is laudable.’

Anna-Alexandra Marhold Source: World Trade Review

‘Energy and the Environment cements Sherzod Shadikhodjaev's reputation as a thoughtful and forward-looking scholar in the crowded field of energy and environmental law. Its doctrinal precision, its global perspective, and its practical orientation make it a critical resource for those who must navigate the legal complexities of the energy transition from an international-economic-law perspective. The book is also a compelling account of the manner in which trade and investment law can evolve to address the existential challenges of climate change and resource depletion. As the world races to net zero, Shadikhodjaev has reminded us that the law is not merely a boundary but also a transformative tool - verily a treasure amid the ruins of our current energy paradigm.’

Leonie Reins Source: Journal of Environmental Law

‘A meticulously researched volume, [this] is a valuable resource for scholars and policy-makers domestically and internationally in several fields: international economic law, energy, and environmental governance. … The book helpfully emphasizes the multiple levels (domestic, sectoral, regional, and multilateral) where levers of change can be deployed to create more environmentally-oriented incentives for energy production, trade, and consumption.’

Sonia E. Rolland Source: Chinese (Taiwan) Yearbook of International Law and Affairs