Journal of Environmental Law and Policy (eISSN 2564-016X) is an international, scientific double blind peer-reviewed open access journal. Open Access: free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions. Fast Publication: Provisional acceptance to the submitted article is given in 1 week time. After consent of author(s), manuscript is peer-reviewed, and a first decision provided to authors in 2-4 weeks after submission.
Electrification to maximize positive climate impacts: A narrative review of the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act
Background: Before passage of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the U.S. was projected to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 24%–35% below 2005 levels by 2030. The IRA put the U.S. on track to reduce its emissions by 35%–41% below 2005 levels by 2030, depending on the assumptions. However, recent federal policy reversals put these goals in serious doubt. Most of the important climate change provisions of the IRA attempt to accelerate the renewable energy transition and increasingly electrify the nation’s energy system, which includes a significant expansion of the nation’s transmission capacity and electric vehicle (EV) fleet. Methods: A narrative review is conducted of the major elements of the IRA that pertain to climate change mitigation, integrating analyses and insights from legal, economic, policy, and technical literatures. Results: Several challenges are identified that should be addressed in order to help lower emissions. Policy recommendations proposed include giving significantly more attention and support to the role played by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and state public utility commissions in catalyzing the clean energy transition, mining reform focused on energy critical elements, and promoting EV charging and heat pump usage to maximize their greenhouse gas emissions benefits. Also important is enabling state governments to increase their partnership with federal policy makers in the clean energy transition. Conclusion: While the IRA is a landmark law that will help the U.S. meet any climate change goals, additional policies will be needed for the full potential of the IRA to be realized.
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA); renewable energy; electrification; electric vehicle (EV); transmission planning; Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Copyright (c) 2026 Author(s) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Dynamic evaluation of air pollution in Ahvaz: Source apportionment, SWOT-AHP analysis, and innovative control strategies
Background: Air pollution significantly impacts global health, contributing to approximately 3.7 million premature deaths annually. Ahvaz, as one of the most polluted cities in the world, experiences severe air pollution due to urbanization, industrial expansion, and transportation. This study aims to identify pollution sources, evaluate their impact through a hybrid SWOT-AHP analysis, and propose innovative air quality management strategies based on global best practices. Methods: A combination of emission inventory analysis, geographic information system (GIS) mapping, and a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach was applied to assess key pollution sources. SWOT analysis was integrated with the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to prioritize effective interventions for air quality improvement. Comparative analysis was conducted with cities such as Beijing, New Delhi, and Los Angeles to benchmark pollution control measures. Results: Nitrogen oxides (NOx) were identified as the most emitted pollutants in central Ahvaz, reaching 392 tons annually. Other major pollutants included carbon monoxide (CO) (89 tons/year), suspended particles (87 tons/year), and hydrocarbons (34 tons/year). The Ramin Power Plant accounted for 54% of SO2 emissions, while oil industries contributed to 82% of total pollutants. The hybrid SWOT-AHP analysis ranked “Implementing an advanced air pollution monitoring system and smart traffic management” as the most effective strategy. Benchmarking with other global cities revealed that implementing low-emission zones and transitioning to cleaner fuels significantly reduced air pollution levels. The AHP analysis prioritized strategies as Smart Monitoring System (46.7%)—The most effective approach, emphasizing real-time pollution tracking and traffic optimization. Next Clean Fuel Transition (27.7%)—Reducing emissions by shifting industries and vehicles to low-emission fuels. Low-Emission Zones (16.0%)—Establishing restricted zones to control vehicular pollution. And Urban Green Infrastructure (9.5%)—Expanding green spaces to enhance air quality. Conclusion: Strategic investments in pollution control technologies, combined with policy interventions such as emissions-based congestion pricing and green infrastructure expansion, are crucial for mitigating pollution in Ahvaz. The SWOT-AHP framework provided a structured approach to prioritizing actionable environmental management strategies based on feasibility and effectiveness.
air pollution; air quality management; SWOT-AHP; Ahvaz; source apportionment; smart environmental strategies
Thermodynamic nexus between UNCBD and UNFCCC: Bounded openness over natural information and the Yasuní-ITT initiative
Consilience of biodiversity and climate change is achievable through reduction to non-equilibrium thermodynamics. Subsequent construction supports a policy to decrease carbon emissions and species loss in capital-poor countries that are mega-diverse and carbon-rich. Incentives for conservation underpinned The Yasuní-ITT Initiative, whereby Ecuador sought payment not to drill for oil. The same logic holds for not opening highways in the Amazon. Consilience marries Living within Limits by Garrett Hardin with Half-Earth by E.O. Wilson. Artificial Intelligence facilitates persuasion of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.
biodiversity; climate change; consilience; decision 16/2; Half-Earth; non-equilibrium thermodynamics; general theory of second best; taboo
Copyright (c) 2025 Author(s) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
A linear regression model to demonstrate balancing productivity and sustainability for small-scale farmers: A case study in Malawi
Adverse climate change effects, specifically droughts, floods, and dry spells, negatively affect agricultural production. The application of several machine learning methods assists with crop production prediction while factoring in these environmental variables. Machine learning is a crucial tool to ensure crop yield estimation, good agricultural planning practices, and effective decision-making, enabling better application of proposed interventions. Ecological intelligence signifies a paradigm shift toward balancing the competing goals of sustainability and productivity. This study aimed to demonstrate efficient agricultural productivity that addresses SDGs 12 (Responsible consumption and production), SDG 13 (Climate action), and SDG 15 (Life on land). The study was carried out in Lilongwe and Dowa districts, Malawi, and compared single and dual crop yields of farmers cultivating the same crop on similar hectarage, and their respective crop value, profitability, and sustainability. The study population comprised 62 (29.7%) male and 140 (70.3%) female farmers. A linear regression model analysis showed the importance and value of both crop yield and ecosystem resilience. The 80:20 train-test ratio split was used to produce good and effective output. Results showed that the dual crop yields of maize and beans were more profitable in comparison to both monocrop beans and maize plots. Male farmers had higher profits and yields than female farmers. These results show that sustainable practices can be incorporated into farming systems and could ensure both profitability and sustainability. However, future research will be done using intensive multiple-cropping and environmentally friendly methods that focus on consistent yields over an extended period.
crop yield estimations; machine learning; productivity; small-scale farmers; sustainable agroecological practices; sustainable development goals
Financing of the preserving ecosystems in Ukraine: Political and managerial aspects
This article explores the political and managerial aspects of financing ecosystem preservation in Ukraine under the influence of war, economic instability, and global climate and biodiversity challenges. Based on comparative analysis and international experience, particularly from the European Union, the authors assess the dynamics of state budget expenditures on the nature-protected fund of Ukraine from 2016 to 2025. The study applies systemic, economic, and decision-making methods, including cybernetic planning and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), to identify optimal financing mechanisms. A comprehensive set of innovative tools is proposed—such as green bonds, sustainability-linked loans, blockchain monitoring, and public-private partnerships—to enhance financial resilience and ensure sustainable biodiversity conservation. The paper emphasizes the importance of private sector engagement, territorial communities, and international cooperation in forming a transparent, inclusive, and future-oriented financial system for nature protection. Particular attention is given to the role of ecosystem services in economic development and to mechanisms that integrate ecological protection with local economic strategies.
financial system; preserving biodiversity; integration; economic policy; financial innovations
Transitioning from onsite to virtual tourism using metaverse: An EcoTech framework for sustainable tourism development
This study investigates how Virtual Reality (VR) tourism can help combat environmental degradation in Pakistan, including its potential to promote socio-economic growth in the country. Given the ever-increasing concerns governing the ecological degradation posed by physical tourism in a global landscape, VR tourism offers a sustainable alternative with much lesser impact on the environment and natural resources than on-site tourism. This study thus offers a conceptually-driven yet theoretically-supported and literature-backed EcoTech framework that integrates the external & internal factors affecting the adoption and effectiveness of virtual tourism activities & initiatives. To this end, the influence of external factors such as environmental concerns, environmental responsibility, pro-environmental behavior, eco-guilt and ecological impact on travel was theoretically evaluated to understand the individuals’ attitudes toward embracing virtual tourism. Moreover, the influence of age, gender, income, educational background and household size of the individuals were also considered as key control factors that could potentially affect their visit intentions from socio-economic & demographic viewpoints. Accordingly, this study advocates ‘Willingness-to-Forgo-Pleasure-of-In-situ-Tourism’ as a key enabler for promoting eco-friendly tourism and environmental sustainability as a whole. By and large, the suggested EcoTech framework offers some policy insights and guiding mechanisms for tourism industry stakeholders such as tour operators, government tourism departments including the eco-conscious travellers & tourists looking for cost-effective, environment-friendly and resource-efficient alternatives to on-site tourism.
perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, technological innovativeness, telepresence, behavioral intention, attitude, personal norms, willingness to sacrifice, willingness to forgo pleasure of in-situ tourism, environmental concerns, eco-guilt, pro-env
The differences in environmental psychology within China elucidated by experts from both natural and social scientists
This study contributes to the empirical research on personal values theory within organizational settings. Through a case study of a group of scientists from China’s national research institution of agricultural sciences, this research examines the association between individuals’ value orientations of egoism, altruism, and the biosphere and their disciplinary backgrounds. According to the results of a questionnaire-based survey conducted among 678 scientists working within the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), this study reveals a strong awareness of and concern for social values related to sustainability. It also shows that disciplinary background impacts individuals’ value orientation. Compared to natural scientists, social scientists at CAAS demonstrate a lower level of value orientation towards altruism and biosphere. The findings advocate moving away from simplistic messages that aim to promote employees’ pro-environmental behavior or from studies that focus solely on a narrow range of experiential factors. It concludes by emphasizing that sustainability transition efforts can promote the corporate greening process through a variety of managerial measures.
egoistic value; altruistic value; biospheric value; organizational sustainability culture; organizational socialization
Fostering sustainable behavior through green leadership: The mediating role of environmental consciousness and moderating effect of goal clarity
This study investigates the mechanisms through which green transformational leadership (GTL) and green authentic leadership (GAL) influence employees’ green behavior for sustainable development (EGB). Drawing from social cognitive and goal-setting theories, we examined the mediating role of environmental consciousness (EC) and the moderating role of goal clarity (GC) using survey data collected from 532 employees across diverse organizational contexts in China. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) via SmartPLS was employed to analyze the data. Results indicate that GTL and GAL positively impact EC and EGB directly. EC significantly mediates the relationship between both leadership styles and EGB, highlighting its critical psychological function in translating leadership practices into concrete environmental actions. Additionally, GC significantly strengthens the positive relationship between EC and EGB, demonstrating the importance of clearly articulated sustainability objectives in fostering sustainable workplace behaviors. These findings provide essential theoretical insights and practical implications for enhancing sustainability performance through targeted leadership practices, environmental awareness initiatives, and effective sustainability goal-setting strategies.
green transformational leadership; green authentic leadership; environmental consciousness; goal clarity; sustainable behavior
Environmental justice in law school curricula and the Hong Kong context
Climate change poses an existential threat, disproportionately impacting marginalized communities. This article explores integrating environmental justice principles into Hong Kong legal education to empower future lawyers in combating the climate crisis. It highlights the importance of interdisciplinary approaches, experiential learning opportunities, and policy advocacy training. Case studies illustrate successful legal interventions and grassroots support strategies. The article emphasizes the evolution of professional ethics, balancing client interests with societal responsibilities. It proposes curriculum designs that incorporate real-world case studies, clinical experiences, and skill development in areas like legal drafting and climate litigation. By equipping Hong Kong law students with environmental justice perspectives, legal education can cultivate a generation of climate-conscious lawyers, driving transformative change towards a more equitable and sustainable future.
environmental justice; climate change; legal education; sustainability; curriculum design; experiential learning; policy advocacy
Corporate legal responsibility in the context of environmental sustainability and corporate governance
The research underscores the pivotal role of corporate governance in analyzing corporate legal responsibility within the context of corporate governance and environmental sustainability. The increasing societal awareness about climate change and social equity has compelled companies to scrutinize their operations’ environmental and social impacts. These corporate legal responsibilities encompass adherence to environmental regulations, human rights, and labor practices. The research methodology is a comprehensive literature study, aligning with the research context. The findings underscore that compliance with legal responsibilities forms the bedrock of sustainable business practices. The analysis culminates in the assertion that robust corporate governance plays a pivotal role in guiding companies to not only meet existing environmental and social regulations but also integrate sustainability considerations into their corporate culture. The potential consequences of non-compliance are severe, including reputational damage, legal penalties, and environmental and social harm. This triumph is evident in the enhanced transparency, accountability, and environmental and social performance.
environmental sustainability; corporate governance; corporate legal responsibility; corporate social responsibility
Soft law governance of enterprise data compliance in the context of environmental protection
Domestic and foreign countries have different views on soft law governance. In China, the understanding of “soft law” stays at a static level, which is considered to be a social norm in a pluralistic sense. Foreign countries understand “soft law” from a dynamic perspective, that is, they mainly tend to take it as a means of governance and a mechanism to solve disputes and contradictions. Combining the above two viewpoints, soft law governance can be understood as a governance concept or governance model, and it takes the needs of the governance object as the starting point. Moreover, it advocates bottom-up governance. This governance method reflects the value connotation of people-oriented, democratic, autonomous and inclusive, and actively practices “multi-subject participation”. It can be seen that, rather than hard law, soft law is more suitable for the liquidity, development and change characteristics of enterprise data, especially in the context of environmental-related data, and is conducive to condensing the governance force of multiple subjects including the government. The effectiveness of enterprise data compliance governance is of great significance in the field of environmental protection. With the help of ecological environment data such as carbon emission data, environmental detection data and pollution control data, the efficiency and benefit of ecological environment governance can be improved, and the efficiency of ecological governance can be driven by data. But compared with the United States, the European Union and Singapore, the effect of enterprise data compliance soft law governance is not significant. Through literature research and comparative analysis, the factors affecting the effectiveness of Chinese soft law in enterprise data compliance governance are analyzed, and the solutions can be found from the comparative analysis.
soft law; enterprise data; sustainable development; environmental data governance; environmental protection
Analysis of educational policies and environmental culture among Peruvian university students
Environmental culture in university students refers to the set of knowledge, values and behaviors that they acquire and practice with the protection of the environment within their academic space, supported by environmental educational policies. We proposed to understand the existence of an inadequate environmental culture in university students. The objective of this study was to analyze university educational policies and environmental culture in Peruvian students, comparing the results according to sociodemographic variables. A total of 2448 intentionally chosen university students participated, a non-experimental cross-sectional design was used, a quantitative approach of comparative descriptive level was used. In addition, in the data analysis, the descriptive results are presented in a table of frequencies and percentages, while the inferential analyses are presented in statistics. A medium level of environmental culture was found at 57.3% with a tendency to be low at 37.3% in university students. In addition, the comparison of sociodemographic variables indicates that there are statistically significant differences (p < 0.05), therefore, the students from public universities, the area of social sciences and the last years of study present higher scores than the other comparison groups. In conclusion, environmental educational policies have not been adequate and applied by universities to generate an adequate environmental culture in university students within the academic field.
environmental educational policies; environmental culture; environmental protection; sustainability; volunteering; internal communication; institutional responsibility
Measuring corporate sustainability in a synthetic way. Is it possible?
This study develops a synthetic sustainability indicator (SSI) to assess corporate sustainability performance using data from Spanish IBEX 35 companies. Utilizing sparse principal components analysis (sPCA), the study condenses 65 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) variables into a single indicator, addressing the lack of standardization in CSR evaluations and enabling comparisons across companies and sectors. The results show that environmental practices are the most significant factor (37.30%), followed by labor practices (19.23%) and corporate governance (18.52%). The study’s key contribution lies in offering a quantifiable, transparent method for evaluating corporate sustainability. The SSI provides valuable insights for investors and analysts, promoting data-driven decision-making and encouraging corporate improvements in sustainability performance.
corporate sustainability; synthetic indicator; sparse principal components analysis; environmental, social and governance (ESG); IBEX 35
Review of Legal Support of Climate Change Adaptation Mechanisms
Climate change presents significant challenges for legal systems, as effective regulation of adaptation measures is necessary. The lack of a unified approach to the legal framework for adaptation mechanisms complicates the implementation of state policy in this area. This study aims to analyze the legal mechanisms for adapting to climate change and their compliance with international standards. The methodology encompasses a systematic analysis of national and international legislation, a comparative examination of the legal approaches employed by different countries, and legal modeling to evaluate the effectiveness of existing mechanisms. Doctrinal analysis and legal hermeneutics methods were employed. The results of the study indicate the fragmentation of normative-legal support for climate change adaptation. It has been established that the implementation of effective adaptation measures requires harmonization of national legislation with international obligations and the expansion of the powers of local authorities. It is recommended to develop a comprehensive law on climate change adaptation that takes into account European approaches and ensures a clear mechanism for the implementation of adaptation measures.
Climate; Environment; Environment protection; Energy security; European climate law
Norms and Challenges in the Global Movement of E-Waste
The transboundary movement of electronic waste (hereinafter referred to as ‘e-waste’) has emerged as a significant global environmental and regulatory challenge. This paper critically examines international legal frameworks governing e-waste movement, focusing primarily on movements from developed to developing nations. It briefly highlights India as an illustrative example of the broader impacts faced by developing countries. The study analyzes key international regulations, particularly the Basel Convention, along with relevant regional agreements such as the Bamako and Waigani Conventions. The paper highlights how industrialized nations often evade strict domestic regulations by exporting waste under the guise of recycling or repair, shifting environmental burdens disproportionately onto economically weaker nations. Additionally, it addresses limitations in existing international mechanisms in curbing illegal e-waste trafficking and the associated enforcement challenges. By discussing loopholes in current legal frameworks—such as the "repairable loopholes"—the study emphasizes the need for stronger enforcement, enhanced international cooperation, and stringent compliance mechanisms to mitigate environmental injustice.
Land restoration; Environmental security; Ecological rehabilitation; Humanitarian demining; Sustainable development; Legal mechanisms
Contractual Basis of Mine Action as a Component of the Restoration of Ukraine’s Natural Resource Potential
In the context of Russia’s full-scale armed aggression and the widespread contamination of Ukraine’s territory with landmines and other explosive remnants of war, the legal regulation of contractual relations in the field of humanitarian demining is of critical importance for ensuring the effective and transparent implementation of demining activities and the sustainable restoration of the country’s natural resource potential. The aim of this study is to identify the specific features of contractual regulation in humanitarian demining as a key component of post-conflict ecological recovery, to reveal existing legal gaps, and to develop practical recommendations for improving the regulatory framework for mine action within the broader environmental security context. The research adopts a desk-based methodology, focusing on the analysis of current Ukrainian legislation, international treaties, environmental and legal policy frameworks, and reports by national authorities (e.g., the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine) and international institutions such as the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining. Particular attention is paid to the practice of public procurement in the field of humanitarian demining (via the Prozorro system), which allows for the identification of common contract models, clarification of their legal regulation, and diagnosis of key obstacles to implementation. Through a comparative approach, the study also reviews international documents, including the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS), the UN PERAC Guidelines on environmental assessments in post-conflict settings, and the provisions of the Ottawa Convention and the Convention on Cluster Munitions. The interdisciplinary framework of the study enables an integrated understanding of demining contracts not only as legal instruments but also as tools for the sustainable management and restoration of damaged ecosystems. The findings of the research can be integrated into Ukraine’s national policy on post-war recovery and contribute to enhancing the legal and institutional foundations of environmental safety.
Addressing the Impact of Environmental Displacements of Persons in Africa by Operationalizing Sustainable Development Goals and African Agenda 2063
Internal displacement due to environmental disasters has become a major humanitarian challenge in Africa, disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups such as women, children, and the elderly. Despite efforts like the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and adherence to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the continent continues to face rising environmental challenges, raising questions about whether these displacements result from a failure to heed environmental warnings and whether development should be approached from a home-grown perspective. African Agenda 2063 and the SDGs now include forced displacement as key targets and indicators, emphasizing a comprehensive approach that extends beyond humanitarian aid to focus on development. This paper explores whether an intentional Afrocentric development plan, alongside the operationalization of the SDGs and Agenda 2063, can effectively mitigate environmentally induced internal displacement in Africa.
Internal displacements; Sustainable Development Goals; African Agenda 2063; Environmentally displaced persons
The Legal Ecology of Pandemic Prevention: An Examination of Eco-Centric Zoning and Wildlife Preservation Strategies for Reducing Zoonotic Spillover Risk
This study examines the role of eco-centric zoning laws and wildlife preservation in mitigating zoonotic spillover, a critical factor in preventing future pandemics. Existing literature establishes a strong correlation between habitat disruption, deforestation, urbanization, and the increasing frequency of zoonotic disease transmission, with cases such as COVID-19, Ebola, and Nipah virus outbreaks underscoring the urgency of intervention. While international and national legal frameworks, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, CITES, and various environmental laws, aim to regulate habitat conservation, gaps persist in their implementation, particularly regarding eco-centric zoning policies. This research addresses these gaps by investigating how legal and policy frameworks can effectively integrate eco-centric zoning and wildlife preservation to reduce the risk of zoonotic spillover. Employing a multidisciplinary approach, the study conducts a comprehensive review of legal precedents, environmental policies, and scientific literature to assess current regulatory measures and propose strategic enhancements. The findings reveal that eco-centric zoning mitigates habitat fragmentation, strengthens biosafety regulations in wildlife facilities, and enhances global surveillance of zoonotic pathogens. Legal tools such as citizen suits, conservation easements, the regulatory takings doctrine, intergovernmental MOUs, and adaptive management emerge as crucial mechanisms for enforcing eco-centric zoning policies. Case studies, such as Bangladesh’s infrastructure-induced elephant fatalities, demonstrate the legal and enforcement challenges surrounding conservation policies. The study argues for the adoption of stricter zoning regulations, increased public participation, the integration of technological solutions for habitat monitoring, and enhanced legal accountability for environmental degradation. By emphasizing the One Health framework, which underscores the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, the research provides actionable policy recommendations to align conservation efforts with public health strategies. The study’s findings contribute to the advancement of sustainable land-use policies, improved legal mechanisms for biodiversity protection, and a holistic approach to pandemic prevention. In advocating for stronger regulatory frameworks and cross-border legal cooperation, this research underscores the need for a proactive, interdisciplinary response to emerging zoonotic threats.
Zoonotic spillover; Eco-centric zoning; Wildlife preservation; Pandemic prevention; Environmental law
Gas Flaring in Nigeria’s Niger Delta: Legal Challenges and Lessons from Norway’s Regulatory Framework
Gas flaring remains a persistent environmental and human rights challenge in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, exacerbated by inadequate enforcement of extant laws. This article employs a doctrinal and comparative methodology to critically examine the legal frameworks governing gas flaring in Nigeria, including the 1999 Constitution, the Petroleum Industry Act, the Flare Gas (Prevention of Waste and Pollution) Regulations, and the Environmental Impact Assessment Act. It highlights the adverse effects of gas flaring, such as environmental degradation, health risks, and economic losses, and juxtaposes Nigeria’s approach with Norway’s successful gas flaring abatement regime. The findings reveal that while Nigeria has adequate laws, their enforcement remains weak due to infrastructural deficits and a lack of political will. The article recommends stricter enforcement of existing laws, investment in gas utilization infrastructure, and adoption of international best practices, such as Norway’s regulatory oversight and technological advancements, to eliminate gas flaring and promote sustainable development in the Niger Delta.
Gas Flaring; Niger delta; Legal framework; Environmental protection
Towards an Efficient E-Waste Management Regime in Nigeria
Electronic waste (e-waste) management has emerged as a critical environmental and public health challenge in Nigeria, driven by increasing digitalisation, high importation of used electronics and inadequate disposal practices. Despite existing regulatory efforts, the country continues to struggle with informal recycling, unsafe dismantling methods and limited enforcement of e-waste policies. This article explores the deficiencies in Nigeria’s current e-waste management framework and proposes a regulatory blueprint for a more sustainable approach. Drawing on global best practices, the study advocates for a comprehensive regulatory regime that includes Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), stricter import controls, improved formal recycling infrastructure, and strengthened enforcement mechanisms. It also highlights the importance of public awareness campaigns, private-sector collaboration, and policy incentives to encourage responsible e-waste disposal. By transitioning to a structured and legally enforceable e-waste management system, Nigeria can mitigate environmental risks, safeguard public health, and unlock economic opportunities through resource recovery and job creation. Through doctrinal and critical analysis, this paper underscores the urgent need for a multi-stakeholder approach that aligns regulatory frameworks with sustainability principles, ensuring Nigeria’s readiness to tackle the growing e-waste crisis effectively.
E-waste Management; Sustainable development; Nigeria; Recycling; Circular Economy; Environment
The Rights of Nature Movement: Legal, Cultural, and Policy Challenges in Implementing Eco-Centric Laws
The recognition of nature’s rights and the legal personhood of ecosystems is earning propulsion as an eco-centric legal framework, depicting an archetype shift in environmental law. This research explores the inception and advancement of this concept across different jurisdictions, centering Bangladesh, India, New Zealand, and Ecuador. They took essential footfalls to grant legal individuality to rivers, forests, and other ecosystems, aspiring to protect them from deterioration and ensure viability. Ecuador headed the validation of nature’s rights by preserving the concept in their 2008 Constitution, granting ecosystems the right to exist, replenish, and evolve. The Vilcabamba River case, which was a landmark, demonstrates the application of such rights in environmental conflicts. This research appraises the legal, cultural, and environmental connotation of these eco-centric accesses, comparing them across jurisdictions. It probes the persuasiveness of legal personhood in addressing ecological challenges and the disparity in implementation that frustrates its broader adoption. In addition, it tests how this legal modernization converges with Indigenous rights, sustainable development, and environmental justice, recommending pathways for the creation of a legal framework across-the-board that perceives the deep-seated value of nature. By analyzing the accomplishments and circumspection of these pioneering countries, this study contributes to the ongoing dialogue on establishing an internationally recognized eco-centric legal system for the protection of ecosystems.
Rights of Nature; Legal Personhood; Eco-centric Law; Environmental Law; Indigenous Rights; Sustainable Development; Environmental Justice
Niagara-on-the-Lake Sues Quarry Owner over alleged Environmental Violations: Potential Impacts on Local Property Owners
This paper examines the environmental challenges and legal implications associated with settling ponds in aggregate extraction operations, especially in the context of climate change. It highlights the role of settling ponds in managing runoff and sediment, while addressing the potential factors that can undermine their effectiveness, such as inadequate design, high flow rates, and insufficient maintenance. The paper delves into the specific impacts of extreme weather events, rising temperatures, and altered precipitation patterns on the functionality of settling ponds. Additionally, the paper explores the potential repercussions for property owners, including property value depreciation, stigma damage, legal and cleanup costs, for impacted communities. It underscores the importance of robust infrastructure planning and proactive measures to mitigate these risks. Recommendations include enhancing settling pond requirements, regular monitoring and reporting, financial assurances, revocation of permits for non-compliance, and fostering meaningful community engagement and transparency. The conclusion emphasizes the need for larger and more resilient settling ponds to accommodate changing climate conditions, ensuring environmental protection and the health, safety, and welfare of local communities. By implementing stringent regulations and effective management practices and oversight, regulators and municipalities in Ontario can better address the challenges posed by climate change and contribute to a sustainable future.
Quarry; Environmental Violations; Local property; Sediments; Risks
Environmental and Legal Framework for Implementing the concept of Sustainable Development in the policy of the Eu and Ukraine
This study aimed to assess the state of integrating environmental legal provisions into sustainable development strategies and identify common and distinctive features in the policies applied in Ukraine and the EU. The focus was on analysing the environmental legal frameworks that influence the implementation of the concept of sustainable development in both regions. To this end, a comparative analysis of the EU and Ukraine's environmental legal standards was conducted, and a series of strategic documents were reviewed. The study employed the methods of documentary analysis, comparative study, and evaluation of implemented policies. It was found that the approaches to sustainable development in the EU and Ukraine have shared features, especially in the integration of environmental standards into national regulations. However, the level of implementation of these standards in the EU is much greater than in Ukraine, which is conditioned by the existence of developed monitoring and control systems. Statistics show a gradual improvement in environmental performance in Ukraine due to the implementation of European standards. The findings of the study confirmed the effectiveness of the integration of environmental standards and legal norms into sustainable development policy, which positively affects the environment in both regions. However, marked differences in policy implementation suggest the need to strengthen cooperation between the EU and Ukraine to achieve common sustainable development goals. Further progress can be achieved through the exchange of practices and the expansion of joint projects.
Environmental protection; Sustainable development; European Green Deal; Environmental policy; Environmental security; Eurointegration
Litigating Industrial Air Pollution in The Netherlands: The Impact of The European Court of Human Rights
This article will focus on how the development of the European Human Rights Convention (ECHR) by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) prompted Dutch environmental movements and citizens to rely on the ECHR to reduce industrial air pollution. It will further examine the decisive role of human rights in legal proceedings concerning industrial air pollution between environmental movements and affected individuals and the State and/or business entities. The impact of the developing case law by the ECtHR on Dutch cases such as the Air Quality cases, the Urgenda case and the Shell cases will be considered. This article will consider the effects of changing public opinion and scientific developments to understand the changing role of the ECHR in the Netherlands.
Industrial air pollution; European Court of Human Rights; Public Opinion; The Netherlands; Health