Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is one of the primary objectives of environmental law?
What is one of the primary objectives of environmental law?
Which historical element is considered an antecedent to modern environmental law?
Which historical element is considered an antecedent to modern environmental law?
When did environmental law begin to emerge as a distinct discipline?
When did environmental law begin to emerge as a distinct discipline?
What was the first national park in the world, established in 1872?
What was the first national park in the world, established in 1872?
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Which type of activities did the term 'classified activities' primarily refer to?
Which type of activities did the term 'classified activities' primarily refer to?
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What did environmental regulations during the 19th century in Spain mainly focus on?
What did environmental regulations during the 19th century in Spain mainly focus on?
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Which law was passed in Spain in 1916 that focused on the protection of nature?
Which law was passed in Spain in 1916 that focused on the protection of nature?
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Which of the following effects is typically associated with the need for environmental law?
Which of the following effects is typically associated with the need for environmental law?
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What is the role of criminal law in environmental protection?
What is the role of criminal law in environmental protection?
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Which articles in the Penal Code specifically address environmental crimes?
Which articles in the Penal Code specifically address environmental crimes?
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What type of crimes does Directive 2008/99/EC focus on?
What type of crimes does Directive 2008/99/EC focus on?
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Which of the following is NOT a protected legal good as per the environmental criminal law?
Which of the following is NOT a protected legal good as per the environmental criminal law?
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What is a characteristic of dangerous crimes in relation to environmental law?
What is a characteristic of dangerous crimes in relation to environmental law?
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What is the primary justification for the collective nature of the right to the environment?
What is the primary justification for the collective nature of the right to the environment?
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Which article grants exclusive state competence over basic legislation on environmental protection?
Which article grants exclusive state competence over basic legislation on environmental protection?
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What power do local authorities have concerning the urban environment?
What power do local authorities have concerning the urban environment?
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What is a significant aspect of the debate regarding the right to the environment?
What is a significant aspect of the debate regarding the right to the environment?
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Which of the following is an example of a competence shared between the state and Autonomous Communities?
Which of the following is an example of a competence shared between the state and Autonomous Communities?
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According to the content, which environmental issue might municipalities regulate?
According to the content, which environmental issue might municipalities regulate?
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What is the meaning of 'horizontality' in the context of environmental law as described?
What is the meaning of 'horizontality' in the context of environmental law as described?
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What can be inferred about the Spanish constitutional process from the content?
What can be inferred about the Spanish constitutional process from the content?
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What type of legislation is primarily responsible for the management of classified activities at a municipal level?
What type of legislation is primarily responsible for the management of classified activities at a municipal level?
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Which problem has arisen from the regulation of telephone antennas by city councils?
Which problem has arisen from the regulation of telephone antennas by city councils?
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What is an example of a sectoral environmental law?
What is an example of a sectoral environmental law?
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Which of the following statements is true regarding the powers of Autonomous Communities in environmental matters?
Which of the following statements is true regarding the powers of Autonomous Communities in environmental matters?
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What role do public authorities play concerning personal rights related to the environment?
What role do public authorities play concerning personal rights related to the environment?
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Which statement reflects the current doctrinal view on the environmental law?
Which statement reflects the current doctrinal view on the environmental law?
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What is required for municipalities to regulate environmental matters?
What is required for municipalities to regulate environmental matters?
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What does demanialization refer to in environmental law?
What does demanialization refer to in environmental law?
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Which of the following is NOT a legal-public technique of environmental protection?
Which of the following is NOT a legal-public technique of environmental protection?
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What is the significance of Article 132.2 of the Spanish Constitution?
What is the significance of Article 132.2 of the Spanish Constitution?
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What role do responsible declarations play in environmental regulation?
What role do responsible declarations play in environmental regulation?
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How do prior communications function in environmental regulation?
How do prior communications function in environmental regulation?
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What does the Environmental Transparency Act 2006 aim to achieve?
What does the Environmental Transparency Act 2006 aim to achieve?
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Which of the following best describes the aim of the Aarhus Convention 1998?
Which of the following best describes the aim of the Aarhus Convention 1998?
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What is the primary purpose of promotional/incentivizing measures in environmental law?
What is the primary purpose of promotional/incentivizing measures in environmental law?
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Which of the following represents a method of active transparency in environmental information?
Which of the following represents a method of active transparency in environmental information?
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What does the environmental impact assessment process generally assess?
What does the environmental impact assessment process generally assess?
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What is the focus of planning and evaluation of plans in environmental protection?
What is the focus of planning and evaluation of plans in environmental protection?
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Which law specifically addresses the demanialization of inland waters?
Which law specifically addresses the demanialization of inland waters?
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What significant environmental legislation was introduced in the USA in 1969?
What significant environmental legislation was introduced in the USA in 1969?
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What landmark book published in the 1960s contributed significantly to environmental awareness?
What landmark book published in the 1960s contributed significantly to environmental awareness?
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Which conference marked the first United Nations conference on the environment?
Which conference marked the first United Nations conference on the environment?
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What principle was established in the Stockholm Declaration concerning environmental protection?
What principle was established in the Stockholm Declaration concerning environmental protection?
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What was the major outcome of the Brundtland Report published in 1987?
What was the major outcome of the Brundtland Report published in 1987?
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Which year did the Kyoto Protocol, addressing climate change, come into effect?
Which year did the Kyoto Protocol, addressing climate change, come into effect?
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Which document established the concept of common but differentiated responsibilities among nations?
Which document established the concept of common but differentiated responsibilities among nations?
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What aspect of environmental law is emphasized in the European Union's Court of Justice interpretations?
What aspect of environmental law is emphasized in the European Union's Court of Justice interpretations?
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What is one of the first environmental laws enacted in Spain in 1972?
What is one of the first environmental laws enacted in Spain in 1972?
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What does Agenda 21 aim to promote?
What does Agenda 21 aim to promote?
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What does the principle of integration in environmental law emphasize?
What does the principle of integration in environmental law emphasize?
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What is characteristic of modern environmental law since the 1960s?
What is characteristic of modern environmental law since the 1960s?
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Which of the following frameworks arose from the Paris Agreement?
Which of the following frameworks arose from the Paris Agreement?
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What was one immediate concern that led to the regulation of classified activities in 1925?
What was one immediate concern that led to the regulation of classified activities in 1925?
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What does Article 3 TFEU aim to establish regarding environmental protection?
What does Article 3 TFEU aim to establish regarding environmental protection?
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Which principle emphasizes acting at the closest possible level to ensure effective governance in environmental matters?
Which principle emphasizes acting at the closest possible level to ensure effective governance in environmental matters?
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What is the primary purpose of the European Environment Agency (EEA)?
What is the primary purpose of the European Environment Agency (EEA)?
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According to Spanish Constitutional Article 45, who has the right to enjoy a suitable environment?
According to Spanish Constitutional Article 45, who has the right to enjoy a suitable environment?
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What legal responsibility is outlined for public authorities in Article 45 of the Spanish Constitution?
What legal responsibility is outlined for public authorities in Article 45 of the Spanish Constitution?
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What does the term 'antrhopocentrism' refer to in the context of environmental policies?
What does the term 'antrhopocentrism' refer to in the context of environmental policies?
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What is the goal of the European Green Deal?
What is the goal of the European Green Deal?
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What approach is primarily employed to address violations of environmental provisions in the Spanish Constitution?
What approach is primarily employed to address violations of environmental provisions in the Spanish Constitution?
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What does the concept of 'shared competence' entail in relation to the EU and Member States?
What does the concept of 'shared competence' entail in relation to the EU and Member States?
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What is the significance of the principle of 'the polluter pays'?
What is the significance of the principle of 'the polluter pays'?
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Which of the following treaties emphasizes environmental sensitivity across all EU policies?
Which of the following treaties emphasizes environmental sensitivity across all EU policies?
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Which of the following areas is a priority in the European climate legislation?
Which of the following areas is a priority in the European climate legislation?
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What is one of the implications of Article 45's reference to the environment in the Spanish Constitution?
What is one of the implications of Article 45's reference to the environment in the Spanish Constitution?
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What is the main link according to the European Court of Human Rights regarding environmental damage?
What is the main link according to the European Court of Human Rights regarding environmental damage?
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What does the principle of proportionality in environmental law imply?
What does the principle of proportionality in environmental law imply?
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What is the first level of application of the polluter pays principle?
What is the first level of application of the polluter pays principle?
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What does the Spanish Environmental Liability Law aim to address?
What does the Spanish Environmental Liability Law aim to address?
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Which situation exemplifies a challenge related to cumulative pollution?
Which situation exemplifies a challenge related to cumulative pollution?
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In which context did the Court of Justice rule on the pollution by nitrates in agriculture?
In which context did the Court of Justice rule on the pollution by nitrates in agriculture?
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What is the essence of the concept of self-sufficiency in waste management?
What is the essence of the concept of self-sufficiency in waste management?
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What is a primary goal of the principle of subsidiarity?
What is a primary goal of the principle of subsidiarity?
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Which article of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union addresses environmental requirements?
Which article of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union addresses environmental requirements?
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Why is transparency important in environmental decision-making?
Why is transparency important in environmental decision-making?
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What issue arose with soils contaminated prior to legislation?
What issue arose with soils contaminated prior to legislation?
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Which is a characteristic of ecological activities, according to the principle of proportionality?
Which is a characteristic of ecological activities, according to the principle of proportionality?
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What is one of the main functions of participation in environmental governance?
What is one of the main functions of participation in environmental governance?
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What does the ECJ judgment on the polluter pays principle emphasize?
What does the ECJ judgment on the polluter pays principle emphasize?
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What does 'integrated protection' refer to in environmental management?
What does 'integrated protection' refer to in environmental management?
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What is the main distinction between risk and danger?
What is the main distinction between risk and danger?
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Which principle emphasizes taking preventive action against environmental contamination?
Which principle emphasizes taking preventive action against environmental contamination?
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What does the precautionary principle address?
What does the precautionary principle address?
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Which principle suggests that all subjects involved in environmental issues must cooperate?
Which principle suggests that all subjects involved in environmental issues must cooperate?
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Which of the following statements about environmental law is correct?
Which of the following statements about environmental law is correct?
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What contributes to the limited effectiveness of international environmental standards?
What contributes to the limited effectiveness of international environmental standards?
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How do structural principles relate to environmental law?
How do structural principles relate to environmental law?
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What is meant by the term 'regulatory dispersion' in the context of environmental law?
What is meant by the term 'regulatory dispersion' in the context of environmental law?
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Which statement about environmental law is inaccurate?
Which statement about environmental law is inaccurate?
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What is the focus of the 'Polluter Pays' principle?
What is the focus of the 'Polluter Pays' principle?
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What does the concept of 'flexibility' in environmental governance imply?
What does the concept of 'flexibility' in environmental governance imply?
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Which principle is associated with assessing risks before allowing potentially harmful activities?
Which principle is associated with assessing risks before allowing potentially harmful activities?
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In which scenario would the precautionary principle be most applicable?
In which scenario would the precautionary principle be most applicable?
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What is meant by 'thinking global, acting local' in the context of environmental law?
What is meant by 'thinking global, acting local' in the context of environmental law?
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Which of the following best describes the role of environmental law in society?
Which of the following best describes the role of environmental law in society?
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Flashcards
Environmental Law
Environmental Law
A system of rules and regulations designed to protect the environment, ensure sustainable use of natural resources, and maintain environmental quality for human health.
When did Environmental Law develop?
When did Environmental Law develop?
The development of environmental law is a recent phenomenon, starting to emerge in the 20th century.
What is the Main Goal of Environmental Law?
What is the Main Goal of Environmental Law?
The primary purpose of environmental law is to minimize or prevent the negative impacts of human activities on the environment.
How does Environmental Law affect human life?
How does Environmental Law affect human life?
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What is 'res communis omnium'?
What is 'res communis omnium'?
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What are 'classified activities'?
What are 'classified activities'?
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When did Environmental Law become a distinct field?
When did Environmental Law become a distinct field?
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What were the first environmental protection efforts?
What were the first environmental protection efforts?
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Environmental Crimes as 'Crimes of Danger'
Environmental Crimes as 'Crimes of Danger'
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Gradation of Environmental Offenses
Gradation of Environmental Offenses
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EU Directive on Environmental Protection Through Criminal Law
EU Directive on Environmental Protection Through Criminal Law
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Codification of Environmental Crimes
Codification of Environmental Crimes
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Protected Legal Goods in Environmental Law
Protected Legal Goods in Environmental Law
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Shared Competence in Environmental Protection
Shared Competence in Environmental Protection
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Subsidiarity
Subsidiarity
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Principle of Conferral
Principle of Conferral
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EU's Environmental Objective
EU's Environmental Objective
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Transversibility
Transversibility
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European Green Deal
European Green Deal
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European Climate Legislation
European Climate Legislation
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Natura 2000
Natura 2000
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Waste Management and Circular Economy
Waste Management and Circular Economy
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Directive on Single-Use Plastics
Directive on Single-Use Plastics
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Water Framework Directive
Water Framework Directive
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Marine Strategy Directive
Marine Strategy Directive
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Right to a Healthy Environment in the Spanish Constitution
Right to a Healthy Environment in the Spanish Constitution
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Anthropocentrism in Environmental Protection
Anthropocentrism in Environmental Protection
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Environmental Liability in the Spanish Constitution
Environmental Liability in the Spanish Constitution
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Stockholm Declaration
Stockholm Declaration
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Early Environmental Regulation
Early Environmental Regulation
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Principles of Environmental Law
Principles of Environmental Law
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Silent Spring
Silent Spring
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Environmental Impact Assessment
Environmental Impact Assessment
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Sustainable Development
Sustainable Development
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Kyoto Protocol
Kyoto Protocol
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Right to Access to Information, Participation and Justice
Right to Access to Information, Participation and Justice
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Rio de Janeiro Conference 1992
Rio de Janeiro Conference 1992
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Agenda 21
Agenda 21
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1972 Stockholm Conference
1972 Stockholm Conference
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Paris Agreement
Paris Agreement
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Brundtland Report
Brundtland Report
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UNEP
UNEP
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Spanish Law on Protection of the Atmospheric Environment (1972)
Spanish Law on Protection of the Atmospheric Environment (1972)
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Globality
Globality
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Horizontality
Horizontality
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Sustainability
Sustainability
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Shared responsibility
Shared responsibility
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Prevention
Prevention
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Caution
Caution
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Polluter pays
Polluter pays
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Participation and transparency
Participation and transparency
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Multidisciplinarity
Multidisciplinarity
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Soft Law
Soft Law
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Flexibility
Flexibility
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Collective interests
Collective interests
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Sovereignty and responsibility
Sovereignty and responsibility
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Correction at the Source
Correction at the Source
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Polluter Pays Principle
Polluter Pays Principle
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Principle of Proportionality
Principle of Proportionality
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Self-Sufficiency and Proximity in Waste Management
Self-Sufficiency and Proximity in Waste Management
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Integration of Environmental Protection
Integration of Environmental Protection
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Environmental Liability
Environmental Liability
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Determining Polluter Responsibility for Diffuse and Cumulative Pollution
Determining Polluter Responsibility for Diffuse and Cumulative Pollution
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EU Commitment to Environmental Protection
EU Commitment to Environmental Protection
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Article 11 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU)
Article 11 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU)
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Environmental Damage Assessment
Environmental Damage Assessment
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Addressing Historical Environmental Damage
Addressing Historical Environmental Damage
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Polluter Pays Principle: Economic Content
Polluter Pays Principle: Economic Content
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Environmental Responsibility
Environmental Responsibility
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Right to Environment and Personal Rights
Right to Environment and Personal Rights
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Dynamic Nature of Environmental Law
Dynamic Nature of Environmental Law
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Horizontality in Environmental Law
Horizontality in Environmental Law
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Sectoral Environmental Laws
Sectoral Environmental Laws
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Constitutional Recognition of Environmental Rights
Constitutional Recognition of Environmental Rights
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Role of Courts in Environmental Law
Role of Courts in Environmental Law
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Ongoing Spanish Constitutional Process
Ongoing Spanish Constitutional Process
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State and Regional Powers in Environmental Law
State and Regional Powers in Environmental Law
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Regional Power in Environmental Management
Regional Power in Environmental Management
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Disputes in Competence Distribution
Disputes in Competence Distribution
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Multi-level Governance in Environmental Protection
Multi-level Governance in Environmental Protection
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Local Authority Powers in Environmental Protection
Local Authority Powers in Environmental Protection
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Legal Framework for Local Authority Powers
Legal Framework for Local Authority Powers
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Local Ordinances and Environmental Protection
Local Ordinances and Environmental Protection
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Legal Challenges to Local Environmental Actions
Legal Challenges to Local Environmental Actions
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Principle of Environmental Regulation
Principle of Environmental Regulation
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Demanialization of Natural Resources
Demanialization of Natural Resources
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Administrative Police (Ex Ante)
Administrative Police (Ex Ante)
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Administrative Police (Ex Post)
Administrative Police (Ex Post)
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Integrated Environmental Authorization
Integrated Environmental Authorization
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Responsible Declaration
Responsible Declaration
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Prior Communication
Prior Communication
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Planning and Evaluation of Plans and Programs
Planning and Evaluation of Plans and Programs
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Promotional/Incentivising Measures
Promotional/Incentivising Measures
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Participation and Environmental Information
Participation and Environmental Information
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Active Transparency
Active Transparency
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Passive Transparency
Passive Transparency
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Aarhus Convention
Aarhus Convention
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Right to Public Participation
Right to Public Participation
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Study Notes
Environmental Law: Concept and Historical Evolution
- Environmental law is a relatively new field, emerging in the 20th century, aiming to preserve the environment, sustainably use resources, and maintain quality of life.
- Its purpose is to mitigate the environmental impact of industrial and technological advancements, addressing issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, resource depletion, and desertification.
- Early roots exist; Roman law had preliminary environmental considerations (res communis omnium), and medieval Spanish law included measures against deforestation and urban damage.
- 19th-century Spanish laws focused on resource protection (water), and later on regulating health issues in urban areas (classified activities).
- Early 20th-century regulations showed initial environmental concern.
- National parks, like Yellowstone (1872), fostered the concept of nature sanctuaries.
- Animal protection laws and regulations to control polluting activities emerged, including those for dangerous infrastructures.
- Modern environmental law gained prominence in the 1960s, fueled by public awareness (Silent Spring) and pressing societal concerns.
- Landmark legislation, like the 1969 US National Environmental Policy Act, introduced environmental impact assessments.
- International cooperation and agreements like Stockholm (1972) established guidelines and principles (Stockholm Declaration, UNEP).
- More recent milestones include the Brundtland Report (1987), the Rio Conference (1992), Kyoto Protocol (1997), World Summits on Sustainable Development (2002, 2012), and the Paris Agreement (2015).
Key Characteristics of Environmental Law
- Recent field with emerging principles, found in European and international law.
- Development vs. environmental protection: a continuous balancing act.
- Concepts of risk and danger: evaluating known vs. uncertain dangers.
- Risk assessment is crucial.
- Stakeholder participation is essential in decision-making processes.
- Interdisciplinary nature: encompassing criminal, fiscal, labor, urban planning, and more.
- Regulatory dispersion across legal branches and jurisdiction levels exists. Self-regulation and flexibility are vital for effective implementation.
Environmental Law Principles
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Structural Principles:
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Globality: Environmental issues transcend national boundaries.
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Horizontality: Environmental considerations must permeate all sectors.
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Sustainability: Balancing development with environmental protection.
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Shared Responsibility: All parties must contribute to environmental protection.
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Functional Principles:
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Prevention: Proactive measures to prevent environmental damage.
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Precautionary Principle: Acting on potential environmental risks, especially with scientific uncertainty.
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Polluter Pays Principle: Holding those causing damage responsible for remediation.
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Subsidiarity: Deciding at the most appropriate governance level (national, regional, local).
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Participation and Transparency: Ensuring public involvement and access to environmental information.
Environmental Protection in the EU
- EU environmental policy is progressively integrated into treaties and legal frameworks.
- Key Articles in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) address environmental protection.
- Shared competence exists between EU and member states, promoting compliance though cooperation and the ability for members to amplify action ad intra and ad extra (international).
- Monitoring and assessment systems (European Environment Agency) support policymaking.
- EU environmental policies target climate change, biodiversity, waste, water, and oceans.
- Key legislation targets environmental impact assessment processes.
Environmental Protection in the Spanish Constitution
- Article 45 recognizes the right to a healthy environment and the duty to conserve it.
- The article also outlines the public authorities' responsibility for protecting and improving the environment.
- Environmental law is a public matter, governed by the Spanish Constitution in conjunction with public authorities.
- Distribution of competences: The state establishes basic environmental law, communities can set more stringent regulations.
- Local authorities have powers, often limited by legislation.
Techniques and Measures
- Demanialization: designation of resources (waters, coasts, forests) as public property to enhance protection.
- Administrative measures (ex ante/ex post): licensing, prior communication, environmental impact assessments, and inspections. These can be used as incentive or to set standards.
- Planning and Evaluation of Plans/Programs: ensuring efficient resource management.
- Promotional/incentivising Measures: Public aid to encourage environmentally friendly practices (e.g. eco-friendly vehicles).
- Citizen Participation and Environmental Information. The right to access information, participation, and justice are protected.
- Criminal law: codified environmental offenses address behaviors causing environmental damage.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Explore the concept and historical evolution of environmental law from its early roots in Roman and medieval laws to its modern applications in addressing climate change and resource depletion. This quiz will take you through significant milestones and regulations that shaped environmental protection laws over time.