The Intertwining of Corporate, International Investment and Public International Law and Their Impacts on Sustainability

Author ORCID Identifier

Barnali Choudhury: 0000-0002-5762-2957

Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

11-20-2025

Source Publication

Global Corporations and Sustainability. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2025. < https://doi.org/10.4337/9781035353835.00018>

Keywords

Decolonization; Economic growth; Corporate law; International investment law; Sustainability

Abstract

This chapter explores the interplay between corporate law, international investment law, and public international law, assessing their impact on sustainability. It examines how corporate legal structures enable multinational corporations to externalize costs. At the same time, international investment law, designed to safeguard foreign investors’ rights, amplifies corporate power through expansive protections and investment arbitration, frequently sidelining sustainability concerns. Meanwhile, public international law, despite its recognition of human and environmental rights, lacks enforcement mechanisms to counterbalance corporate influence. The chapter argues that meaningful reforms are necessary to address the business models embedded within corporate and investment law. Proposals include redefining corporate governance to prioritize broader stakeholder interests, restructuring investment treaties to impose investor responsibilities, and strengthening international legal frameworks for corporate accountability. Ultimately, it calls for a paradigm shift that challenges relentless economic growth to better align business practices with sustainability objectives.

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