Project Abstract

Abstract
Environmental decision-making is a complex process that involves multiple stakeholders, including governments, businesses, non-governmental organizations, and local communities. The role of law in guiding these decisions is crucial, as it provides a framework for setting standards, regulating activities, and resolving conflicts. This research project aims to explore the various ways in which law influences environmental decision-making and the effectiveness of these legal mechanisms in achieving sustainable outcomes. The study will focus on analyzing the legal frameworks at different levels, including international treaties, national legislation, and local regulations. By examining case studies from different countries, the research will identify the strengths and weaknesses of existing legal frameworks in addressing environmental issues. In particular, the project will investigate how laws are implemented and enforced in practice, the role of courts and regulatory bodies in interpreting and applying environmental laws, and the extent to which legal mechanisms promote transparency, accountability, and public participation in decision-making processes. Furthermore, the research will investigate the challenges and barriers faced in the implementation of environmental laws, such as regulatory capture, lack of resources, and conflicting interests among stakeholders. By identifying these obstacles, the study aims to provide recommendations for improving the effectiveness of legal mechanisms in environmental decision-making. This may include strengthening enforcement mechanisms, enhancing public awareness and participation, and fostering collaboration among different actors involved in environmental governance. Overall, this research project seeks to contribute to the understanding of the role of law in environmental decision-making and to provide insights into how legal frameworks can be improved to better address current and future environmental challenges. By examining the intersection of law, policy, and practice in the context of environmental governance, the study aims to inform policymakers, legal practitioners, and other stakeholders on the opportunities and limitations of legal mechanisms in promoting environmental sustainability.

Project Overview

INTRODUCTION

This collection draws together a range of approaches to environmental legal issues, covering a broad spectrum from domestic to international law. The contributors investigate aspects of law’s influence in environmental decision-making and consider whether legal institutions and theory can respond adequately to the challenge of environmental change.

`it is a book which provides an example of the way forward – a positive step in the right direction for environmental law … a book that is wide-ranging in its scope but which at the same time offers some valuable discussion of the significant key issues which are raised in these assorted jurisdictions and varied legal areas … this book provides a valuable contribution to the progress towards a more mature approach to enviromental law, as well as a collection that sign posts the way for other environmental lawyers.’ Fiona Donson, Law Quarterly Review, Oct 1999