Overview
Environmental law has expanded drastically since its origins in the 1950s. Initially, it was the ratification of international treaties and conventions that provided environmental protections. However, in the 1970s, increased political and public concern spurred the European Community and the United States to create additional environmental protections by means of regulations, directives and statutes. Since that time, environmental law and policy-making has continued to grow into the impressive body of law it is today.
This volume contains a comprehensive compilation of the most important international, European Community and U.S. environmental law treaties and statutes. To promote comparative analysis and better law-making, the treaties and statutes are arranged thematically based on the ten most relevant points of action in today's environmental policy:
- the general principles
- environmental information, participation and justice; environmental and safety reports and classified installations
- prevention and management of waste
- atmospheric pollution
- water pollution
- noise pollution
- nature conservation
- environment and trade
- environmental liability, labels and management systems.