**Environmental Law**

*Page 2 of Notes*

**1. International Environmental Treaties:**

- **Paris Agreement (2015):** Aimed at combating climate change by limiting global warming to well
below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

- **Montreal Protocol (1987):** Addresses the depletion of the ozone layer by phasing out the
production of substances that deplete it.

- **Convention on Biological Diversity (1992):** Focuses on conserving biodiversity, promoting

sustainable use of resources, and ensuring the fair sharing of benefits from genetic resources.

**2. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA):**

- **Process:** Evaluates the potential environmental impacts of proposed projects before they are
approved, ensuring that negative impacts are minimized or mitigated.

- **Purpose:** Prevents or reduces adverse effects on the environment, helps decision-makers make
informed choices, involves public participation.

**3. Air Quality Management:**

- **Clean Air Act (US):** Regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources, sets National
Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for pollutants.

- **European Union Air Quality Standards:** Sets limits for pollutants like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen
dioxide, particulate matter, etc.

**4. Water Law:**

- **Clean Water Act (US):** Regulates discharges of pollutants into waterways and sets quality
standards for surface waters.

- **Water Framework Directive (EU):** Aims to achieve "good status" for all water bodies and
establishes a framework for water management.

**5. Waste Management:**

 - **Hierarchy:** Focuses on waste prevention, reuse, recycling, and proper disposal (landfills,
incineration) as a last resort.

- **Basel Convention:** Controls the transboundary movement and disposal of hazardous wastes.

**6. Biodiversity Conservation:**

- **Endangered Species Act (US):** Protects threatened and endangered species and their habitats.

- **IUCN Red List:** Identifies species at risk of extinction on a global scale.

**7. Environmental Justice:**

- **Principle:** Ensures that marginalized communities are not disproportionately burdened by

environmental hazards and have equal access to environmental benefits.

- **Examples:** Flint water crisis, protests against siting of polluting industries in low-income areas.

**8. Land Use Planning:**

- **Zoning:** Divides land into zones with designated uses (residential, commercial, industrial) to
manage urban growth.

- **Smart Growth:** Promotes sustainable land use, transportation options, and community
development.

**9. Renewable Energy Regulation:**

- **Feed-in Tariffs:** Incentivize renewable energy production by guaranteeing a fixed payment for
energy fed into the grid.

- **Net Metering:** Allows consumers to sell excess renewable energy back to the grid.

**10. Enforcement and Compliance:**

- **Regulatory Agencies:** EPA (US), Environment Agency (UK), etc., monitor and enforce
environmental laws.

- **Penalties:** Fines, sanctions, and legal action against violators to ensure adherence to regulations.

Remember, these are just brief notes. Environmental law is a complex and evolving field influenced by
scientific, social, and political factors. Always refer to the latest legal sources for accurate and up-to-date
information.