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Environmental law

Environmental laws are laws that protect the environment.[1] Environmental law is the collection of laws, regulations, agreements and common law that governs how humans interact with their environment.[2] This includes environmental regulations; laws governing management of natural resources, such as forests, minerals, or fisheries; and related topics such as environmental impact assessments. Environmental law is seen as the body of laws concerned with the protection of living things (human beings inclusive) from the harm that human activity may immediately or eventually cause to them or their species, either directly or to the media and the habits on which they depend.[3]

For the journal, see Environmental Law (journal).

Theory[edit]

Environmental law is a continuing source of controversy. Debates over the necessity, fairness, and cost of environmental regulation are ongoing, as well as regarding the appropriateness of regulations vs. market solutions to achieve even agreed-upon ends.


Allegations of scientific uncertainty fuel the ongoing debate over greenhouse gas regulation, and are a major factor in debates over whether to ban particular pesticides.[27] In cases where the science is well-settled, it is not unusual to find that corporations intentionally hide or distort the facts, or sow confusion.[28]


It is very common for regulated industry to argue against environmental regulation on the basis of cost.[29] Difficulties arise in performing cost–benefit analysis of environmental issues. It is difficult to quantify the value of an environmental value such as a healthy ecosystem, clean air, or species diversity. Many environmentalists' response to pitting economy vs. ecology is summed up by former Senator and founder of Earth Day Gaylord Nelson, "The economy is a wholly owned subsidiary of the environment, not the other way around."[30] Furthermore, environmental issues are seen by many as having an ethical or moral dimension, which would transcend financial cost. Even so, there are some efforts underway to systemically recognize environmental costs and assets, and account for them properly in economic terms.


While affected industries spark controversy in fighting regulation, there are also many environmentalists and public interest groups who believe that current regulations are inadequate, and advocate for stronger protection.[31][32][33] Environmental law conferences – such as the annual Public Interest Environmental Law Conference in Eugene, Oregon – typically have this focus, also connecting environmental law with class, race, and other issues.


An additional debate is to what extent environmental laws are fair to all regulated parties. For instance, researchers Preston Teeter and Jorgen Sandberg highlight how smaller organizations can often incur disproportionately larger costs as a result of environmental regulations, which can ultimately create an additional barrier to entry for new firms, thus stifling competition and innovation.[34]

Climate change

Air pollution

and management

Water protection

Waste management

Soil protection

species and biodiversity

Protection of nature

Noise pollution

Cooperation for the environment with third countries (other than EU member states)

Civil protection

Climate target

Environmental health

Environmental justice

Environmental racism

Environmental racism in Europe

Indigenous rights

International law

List of environmental law journals

List of international environmental agreements

UK enterprise law

(1996). Ecology & International Law. Moscow: АST-PRESS. 512 pp. ISBN 5-214-00225-4 (in English and Russian)

Akhatov, Aydar

Bimal N. Patel, ed. (2015). MCQ on Environmental Law.  9789351452454

ISBN

Farber & Carlson, eds. (2013). Cases and Materials on Environmental Law, 9th. West Academic Publishing. 1008 pp.  978-0314283986.

ISBN

Faure, Michael, and Niels Philipsen, eds. (2014). Environmental Law & European Law. The Hague: Eleven International Publishing. 142 pp.  9789462360754 (in English)

ISBN

Malik, Surender & Sudeep Malik, eds. (2015). Supreme Court on Environment Law.  9789351451914

ISBN

Martin, Paul & Amanda Kennedy, eds. (2015). Implementing Environmental Law. Edward Elgar Publishing

(30 May 2017), The Conversation

Around the world, environmental laws are under attack in all sorts of ways

United Nations Environment Programme

(Gateway to Environmental Law)

ECOLEX

Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (E-LAW)

Centre for International Environmental Law

Wildlife Interest Group, American Society of International Law

EarthRights International

Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense

United Kingdom Environmental Law Association

Lexadin global law database

Upholding Environmental Laws in Asia and the Pacific