The Importance Of International Environmental Law

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2.1.” Environment”
It is important to have an understanding and definition of the term “environment”, in the legal sense in order to note the legal requirements necessary to conserve and protect it. As stated in the UNEP Judicial Handbook for Environmental Law, the environment can be defined as “natural and anthropogenic elements that are mutually interrelated and affect the ecological equilibrium and quality of life, human health, cultural and historical heritage and the landscape” (Shelton & Kiss, 2005).
2.2. Environmental Law
Environmental laws are the standards that are used by governments in an attempt to establish the correct and sustainable management of natural resources including environmental quality. The natural resources range from water pollution, air pollution, to agricultural and land use practices (Change & Program, n.d.). Environmental law includes regulations of resources conserving, pollution and …show more content…

It is because of this that agreements are made as a way of binding nations to certain types of behaviour regarding environmental issues. These agreements and treaties are loosely termed international environmental law (Botkin & Keller, 2014). The legal framework in South Africa must be understood in relation to international law. Putting in place domestic legislation which must incorporate international law principles, and an example of such as NEMA. International environmental law has developed many treaties to address all facets of protecting the natural environment (Shelton & Kiss, 2005). International law concerns agreements among different nations. Because the field of environmental law is transboundary international environmental law is necessary. The issue is that countries generally do not want to agree to any kind of responsibility to the environment because it is not in their economic self-interest to do so (Change & Program,

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