THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON MARITIME BOUNDARIES AND ADMIRALTY LAW

Abstract

The ongoing and accelerated changes in the earth’s climate, particularly rising sea levels and the increased frequency
of extreme weather events are fundamentally affecting maritime boundaries and admiralty law. The United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provides the framework for maritime boundaries, but climate change is
challenging its foundational principles. This paper explores how climate change affects maritime delimitation,
sovereignty, and admiralty law, particularly in relation to Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), territorial seas, and
continental shelf rights through doctrinal research methodology. The article also appraises the adaptability of
international legal systems to these new realities and proposes reforms to address the growing impact of climate
change on maritime law