Module 9 Environmental Laws and Policies PDF

**Module 9** **ENVIRONMETAL LAWS AND POLICIES** **Topic Learning Objectives** **Upon completion of the lesson, the students should be able to:** 1. **Learned the different laws and policies on the preservation of the planet earth,;** 2. **Be guided with the rules and regulation on the pre...

**Module 9** **ENVIRONMETAL LAWS AND POLICIES** **Topic Learning Objectives** **Upon completion of the lesson, the students should be able to:** 1. **Learned the different laws and policies on the preservation of the planet earth,;** 2. **Be guided with the rules and regulation on the preservation of the ecosystem,** 3. **Identify the different international and local laws and policies for the protection of the environment and attainment of sustainable development** 4. **Discuss the importance of the government rules and regulation,** 5. **Be familiar with existing laws on environmental preservation.** **Topic I. International [Environmental Law](https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences-and-law/law/law/environmental-law)** **Introduction** International environmental law is a body of [international law](https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences-and-law/law/international-law/international-law) concerned with protecting the environment, primarily through bilateral and multilateral international agreements. International environmental law was developed as a subset of [international law](https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences-and-law/law/international-law/international-law) in the middle of the twentieth century. Although conservation movements developed in many nations during the nineteenth century, these movements typically only addressed the environmental concerns within a single nation. A growing body of environmental scientific evidence from the 1950s and 1960s, however, illustrated global environmental stresses, along with the need for a multinational solution to environmental issues. Scientific research established that air and [water pollution](https://www.encyclopedia.com/science-and-technology/biology-and-genetics/environmental-studies/water-pollution), overfishing, and other environmental issues often have effects that reach far beyond the borders of any particular nation. By the late-1960s, the international community realized that an international approach to environmental issues was required. Historical Background and Scientific Foundations ------------------------------------------------ International environmental law is derived primarily from three sources: a. *Customary international law* refers to a set of unwritten laws that have arisen from widespread custom and usage among nations. Examples of environmental international customary law include warning a neighboring nation about a major accident that could affect its environment. b. *International treaties* are the most recent, and most effective, source of international environmental law. The sovereignty of nations persists as the primary obstacle to all forms of international law. The principle of sovereignty holds that every nation has complete control over the activities within its borders unless that nation agrees to relinquish some control. Nations typically abrogate (eliminate) part of their sovereignty through bilateral or multilateral international treaties c. *Decisions by international courts or arbitrators*, such as the [International Court of Justice](https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences-and-law/political-science-and-government/united-nations/international-court-justice) or the International Tribunal for the [Law of the Sea](https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences-and-law/law/international-law/law-sea), also shape international environmental law. The *Trail Smelter Arbitration* case of 1938 and 1941, one of the earliest international environmental law cases, involved a dispute between the [United States](https://www.encyclopedia.com/places/united-states-and-canada/us-political-geography/united-states) and Canada over [air pollution](https://www.encyclopedia.com/science-and-technology/biology-and-genetics/environmental-studies/air-pollution) from a Canadian smelting factory. The pollution blew across the American-Canadian border and destroyed crops in the State of Washington. After 15 years, an international arbitration panel established the "polluter pays principle," a key foundation of international environmental law. The polluter pays principle holds that if pollution from one nation causes harm in another nation, then the polluter nation must pay to remedy the damage. Discussion: A. **INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS** ***International Environmental Law*** is a branch of "**International Law**" **which** consists of rules relevant to the **environment**. It aims at protection of **environment** and attainment of sustainable development. - It is a complex interlocking body of statutes, common laws, treaties, conventions, regulation and policies. - Operate to regulate the interaction of humanity and the rest of the biophysical or natural environment - Purpose of reducing or minimizing the impacts of human activity, both in the natural environment for its own sake, and on humanity itself. **Principles Influencing Environmental Laws** a. Environmentalism b. Ecology, conservation, stewardship, responsibility and sustainability **Areas of Concern** - Air quality and water quality - Global climate change - Agriculture - Biodiversity and species protection - Pesticides and hazardous chemicals - Waste management and remediation of contaminated land - Management of public lands and natural resources **General Function of Environmental Laws** - Set offenses and penalties for causing harm to the environment which is not authorized. - Assess, control or stop certain activities before they are carried out. - Set policies and standards for how activities will be controlled and how environmental decisions and approval will be made. - Enable members of the public to take part in environmental decision making. - Create regulatory structures for environmental management such as; regulatory agencies. - Create specialist courts and tribunals. Five most effective environmental legislation are; a. the **Clean Air Act**, b. the **Endangered Species Act**, c. the Montreal Protocol, d. the **Clean Water Act**, and e. Reformation Plan No. 3 of 1970. Six major sources *(doctrines)* of Environmental laws a. nuisance, b. trespass, c. negligence, d. strict liability, e. prior appropriation, and f. riparian rights Seven (7) principles of environment 1.) Nature knows best. \... 2.) All forms of life are important. \... 3.) Everything is connected to everything else. \... 4.) Everything changes. \... 5.) Everything must go somewhere. \... 6.) Ours is a finite earth. \... **7**.) Nature is beautiful and we are stewards of God\'s creation While their **legal** status varies, these principles are important for several reasons. First, they provide a framework to negotiate new **environmental treaties** and implement existing ones. \... Finally, some principles may be useful in integrating **environmental** issues with other branches of **international law**. ***Environmental Laws and Policies***. Contains the State\'s obligation to protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology (Article 2, Section 15 and 16). Certain sections strengthen the role of LGUs in the **environmental** governance of the country. **IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS**: Laws are put in place for many reasons. Some are for public goods, health , and protection. Others are put in place to avoid other forms of harm. Environmental laws are enacted inside borders and as trans-border measure for many reason with public health and resource protection being among the most common; - For Health of Current generations - For Health and Future generations - Maintaining Resources and Lifestyle - For Ecology - Financial Issues - "Future Proofing" Our World ***International environmental policy***  covers a number of issues such as: climate protection, sustainable energy **policy**, preservation of biological diversity and the conservation of forests, seas and soils. Further related issues are desertification, sustainable waste management and protection against hazardous substances. ***Environmental protocol*** is a type of international law. An intergovernmental document intended as legally branding with a primary stated purpose of preventing or managing human impact on natural resources. ***Environmental policy*** the commitment of an organization to laws, regulations and other policy mechanism concerning environmental issues and sustainability. **ENVIRONMENTAL TREATIES:** **1.** Convention for the preservation of pollution of the sea by oil. (1962) 2\. The RAMSAR convention (1971) 3\. Marpol convention (1973) 4\. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species ( CITES ,1973) 5\. Trans-boundary Air Pollution (1972) 6\. Montreal Protocol (1987) 7\. Convention of Biological Diversity (1992) 8\. UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992) 9\. UN Convention to Combat Desertification 10\. Kyoto Protocol (1997) **INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS** There are so many international environmental laws that it is difficult to list them all to cover the magnitude of areas that they are cover. However, here are some of the most common agreements made across borders; 1. *Aarhus Convention* 2. *Biological Weapons Convention* 3. *Convention on Biological Diversity* 4. *Convention on the Conservation of the Antarctic Marine living Resources* 5. *Convention on Fishing and Conservation of Living Resources of the High Seas* 6. *Convention on Long-Range Trans-boundary Air Pollution* 7. *Framework Convention on Climate Chang* 8. *US-Canada Air Quality Agreement* 9. *Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer* 10. *World Heritage Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage* Topic II. PHILIPPINE ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND POLICIES ---------------------------------------------------- LAWS: ----- Republic Act 8749 ( Clean air Act of 1999) ------------------------------------------ It is a comprehensive air quality management policy and program ,which aim to achieve and maintain healthy air for Filipinos. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Republic Act 6969 (Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - authorizes the DENR to establish a program to regulate, restrict or prohibit the importation, manufacture, processing, sale, destruction, use and disposal of chemical substances, and mixture that present unreasonable risk and/or injury to health or the environment. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Republic Act 9275 ( Philippine Clean Water Act.2004) ----------------------------------------------------- An act providing a comprehensive water quality management and for other purposes. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Republic Act 9729 ( Climate Change Act of 2009) ----------------------------------------------- An act mainstreaming climate change into government policy formulations, establishing the framework strategy and program on climate change, creating for this purpose the climate commission, and for other purposes. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Republic Act 9003 ( Solid Waste Management Act. 2001) ------------------------------------------------------ An Act providing for an ecological solid waste management program, creating the necessary institutional mechanism and incentives, declaring certain acts prohibited and providing penalties appropriating funds therefor, and for other purposes. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Republic Act 9512 (Environmental Awareness and Education Act. 2008) ------------------------------------------------------------------- To protect and advance the right of the people to a balance and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature, and in recognition of the vital role of the youth in nation building and the role of education to poster patriotism and nationalism ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Republic Act 8550 (Fisheries Code of 1998) ------------------------------------------ An act providing for the development , management and conservation of the fisheries and aquatic resources, integrating all laws pertinent thereto, and other purposes. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Republic Act 7942 (Philippine Mining Act of 1995) ------------------------------------------------- All mining resources in public and private lands within the territory and exclusive economic zone of the Republic of the Philippines are *owned by* --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Republic Act 8485 ( animal Welfare Act of 1998) ----------------------------------------------- Act to protect and promote the welfare of all animals in the Philippines by supervising and regulating the establishment and operations of all facilities utilized for breeding, maintaining , keeping, treating or training of all animals either as object of trade or as household pets.(Any form of cruelty shall be penalized. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Republic Act 9175 ( CHAIN Saw Act 2002 -------------------------------------- An act regulating the ownership, possession, sale , importation and use of chain saw, penalizing violation thereof and for other purposes. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PRESIDENTIAL DECREES: --------------------- P.D 1151 ( Philippines Environmental Policy) -------------------------------------------- Governs the general policies on the pursuit of a better quality of life for the present and future generations and mandates undertaking the environmental impact assessments for all projects, which may significantly affect the environment. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- P.D 1152 ( Philippine Environmental Code ) ------------------------------------------ The purpose is to achieve and maintain levels of air quality as to protect public health and to prevent to the greatest extent practicable, injury and/or damage to plant and animal life and property, and promote the social and economic development of the country. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- P.D 389 ( Forestry Reform Code) ------------------------------- Section 37. of the code state the protection of all resources. All measures shall be taken to protect the forest resources from destruction, impairment and depletion. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- P.D 1067 ( Water Code of the Philippine) ---------------------------------------- Adopting the basic law governing the ownership, appropriation, utilization, exploitation, development, conservation and protection of water resources and right to land related thereto. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- P.D 984 ( National Pollution Control Decree of 1976) ---------------------------------------------------- A national policy to prevent , abate and control pollution of air, water and land for more effective utilization of the resources of this country. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- P.D1586 (Environmental Impact Statement System) ----------------------------------------------- A policy of the state to attain and maintain a national and orderly balance between socio-economic growth and environmental protection. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WORDS TO KNOW ------------- ABATEMENT: The process of reducing the quantity, intensity, or saturation of a pollutant or other harmful substance by way of treatment. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ACIDIFICATION; Reducing the pH rating of a sub stance making it more acidic in nature, -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AIR EMISSION: any gas emitted into the atmosphere from industrial or commercial activity. Typically used in conjunction with " green house gas"but some emission are not GHG's ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ **BIODEGRADABLE: used to describe substances and the ability of the microorganism to break it down.** **BIODIVERSITY: the range of species in an ecology, examining population number of each species, number of species, the balance between predator and prey, and the food chain.** **BIOMASS: the sum total of the vegetation in a given ecological area.** **BIOSPHERE:** All life-forms on Earth and the interactions among those life-forms. **CONSERVATION:** The act of using natural resources in a way that ensures that they will be available to future generations. **CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS (CFC's**) a group of inert chemical used in many industrial and every day processes such as the refrigerators that are not broken down or lower atmospheric level and rise to the upper level, destroying **CLIMATE CHANGE**: the process by which the climate changes due to "forcing".. These can be natural events or, as the case at present , the result of industrial e actions in increasing greenhouse gases and reducing the carbon sinks. **ECOSYSTEM:** The community of individuals and the physical components of the environment in a certain area. **FAUNA:** The animal life existing in a defined area. **FLORA:** The plant life of an area. **GREENHOUSE GAS:** A gas whose accumulation in the atmosphere increases heat retention. **HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE**; any organic or inorganic material that can damage human health or the environment. **OZONE LAYER**: protective layer of gas in the upper atmosphere that absorb the sun's harmful radiation. Its depletion was one of the major problem of the 1980's **NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION (NGO):** A voluntary organization that is not part of any government; often organized to address a specific issue or perform a humanitarian function. **SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT:** Development (i.e., increased or intensified economic activity; sometimes used as a synonym for industrialization) that meets the cultural and physical needs of the present generation of persons without damaging the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.