environmentallaw

Environmental law is the body of legal rules that governs how states and other actors protect the environment and human health. It covers regulations on air and water quality, waste management, chemical safety, biodiversity, land use, and climate change. It operates through statutes, regulations, administrative decisions, case law, and international agreements, and it spans local, national, and transnational levels.

Rules are created by governments through legislation and by agencies through rules and permits. Many jurisdictions require environmental impact assessments for major projects and use licensing, monitoring, and reporting to enforce compliance. Compliance tools include permits, performance standards, penalties, and, in some systems, citizen suits or public participation in decision making.

Key principles commonly found in environmental law include precaution, polluter pays, sustainable development, prevention of harm, public access to information, and participation in decision making. Rights of Indigenous peoples and local communities may be recognized in various systems, influencing how projects are assessed and managed.

Internationally, environmental law is shaped by agreements addressing biodiversity, hazardous substances, climate change, and cross-border pollution, such as climate accords and chemical treaties. Regional frameworks, such as the European Union environmental law regime and regional conventions, also influence national policies and enforcement.

The aims of environmental law are to prevent ecological harm, provide remedies for pollution and damage, and integrate environmental considerations into economic planning and public policy, balancing development with the protection of natural resources for present and future generations.