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The article focuses on the analysis of legal regulation of the human right to drinking water in Ukraine, as well as to the justification of proposals for improving environmental and other legislation in the researched field at the national level considering the experience of the European Union. It has been determined that the ever-increasing shortage of drinking water and other urgent problems regarding protection and use of this natural resource, indispensable for humans, actualize the need to consider the issues of ensuring the human right to drinking water of normative quality and sufficient quantity to meet personal and household needs. Legislative norms ensuring water protection and the safety when using it for drinking water supply have been identified by conducting the environmental legislation analysis. They have been divided into groups, in particular those that establish: the priority of using water bodies for the drinking needs of the population; that limit the use of water bodies in order to ensure the priority of protecting human life and health; the one establishing a special legal regime for the protection and use of water bodies that are sources of drinking water supply; requirements for the quality of water used to meet the drinking and household needs of the population. Based on the analysis of the norms of the Water Code of Ukraine and the Law of Ukraine "On Drinking Water and Drinking Water Supply", it was concluded that individuals who, in order to meet their needs, carry out general water use, namely, taking water from water bodies without the use of structures or technical devices or doing it from wells, are not consumers of drinking water. And therefore, the right to drinking water of normative quality and sufficient quantity to meet the personal and household needs of such water users, unfortunately, is not enshrined in the environmental legislation, which requires making appropriate additions to it. Particular attention is paid to the improvement of environmental and other legislation of Ukraine and the establishment of such provisions that reflect the life-sustaining function of water resources, as well as the direct impact of drinking water on human life and health. Based on this, it is proposed to make appropriate changes and additions to the Constitution of Ukraine, to the Law of Ukraine "Basics of the Legislation of Ukraine on Health Care", to the future Medical Code of Ukraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of GeSec: Revista de Gestao e Secretariado is the property of Sindicato das Secretarias e Secretarios do Estado de Sao Paulo (SINSESP) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In many countries, complex environmental problems such as biodiversity decline are regulated at the national level by a disparate range of laws and nonstatutory policy instruments variously described by terms including plans, strategies, guidelines, statements of intent, and/or incentives. Such instruments are often grouped together by conservation policymakers and scientists under the umbrella term "policy." However, from a legal perspective, there are critical differences between these so‐called policy instruments. In this paper, we focus on what we consider to be the critical difference: whether a policy instrument is binding, and therefore whether an administrative decision (e.g., about a development proposal) can be legally challenged due to noncompliance with that policy instrument. Drawing from international examples, the aim of this paper is to give conservation policymakers and scientists the guidance needed to critically differentiate between laws and nonstatutory policy, assess current or proposed policies, and determine whether a nonstatutory instrument gives rise to binding obligations, thus allowing for decisions to be challenged before a court. In doing so, we encourage conservation scientists, policymakers, activists, and practitioners to reflect critically on what is possible and not possible when nonstatutory "policy" instruments are designed and implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wastewater generated in dairies has a strong polluting potential and must be treated for disposal into water bodies or reuse. The objective of this work was to analyze the efficiency of removing pollutants through the processes used by a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) of a dairy located in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. For this purpose, the results of the characterization analyses referring to raw and treated wastewater were interpreted. The results showed that the sequence of processes used in the WWTP (water/oil separation, dissolved air flotation, followed by biodegradation in an upflow anaerobic filter) is efficient in removing on average 99.1% of COD and 98.7% of BOD5. For treated wastewater, data on pH and concentration of total suspended solids, total ammoniacal nitrogen, surfactants, settleable solids, and oils and greases also met the standards for disposal into water bodies. For reuse in agriculture, treated wastewater can be used for irrigation, but it is recommended to additionally evaluate the Escherichia coli parameter. When evaluating the existence of linear correlation between COD and BOD5 data, it was possible to find only a moderate correlation (R2 equal to 0.7) for treated wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The Mexican Caribbean coastal dune is protected by national and international environmental legislation. However, through permits, concessions and authorizations for changes in land use, the coastal dune has been fragmented or suppressed, mainly for touristic activities, causing a decline in protective and ecological ecosystem services. In this study, we evaluated the strength and weakness of Mexican legislation to protect the Caribbean coastal dune ecosystem and estimated the historical and current effects on coastal dune vegetation and dune geomorphology, associated with legal allowances of land use change in the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve (SKBR). Legislation at the federal, state and local level were critically reviewed, and with remote sensing techniques and the Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS), we conducted a case study in the SKBR to estimate coastal dune vegetation alteration trends during the period 2011–2020 and modifications on the dune geomorphology associated with land use change allowances. At the federal (four laws), state (eight laws) and local (nine Local and Territorial Planning Programs (POEL and POET) levels, we found a lack of consensus and alignment between regulations, starting with a lack of definition of ecosystems subject to protection. For coastal dunes, none of them consider topography, ecological function and a way to identify it in the field, making the surveillance highly complex and favoring land use changes, the removal of vegetation and dune geomorphology alteration. Remote sensing techniques showed that areas with land use authorizations exhibit negative vegetation cover trends (Mann–Kendall <−0.4), indicating a decline in vegetation cover density that is mostly anthropogenically induced. The RPAS analysis demonstrated drastic alterations to complete elimination of the coastal dune geomorphology in areas with land use change. In the Mexican Caribbean, the loss of coastal dune and associated ecosystem by the lack of congruent legislation threatens the environmental stability of the coastal areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streams are vulnerable to anthropogenic impacts, such as changes in land use, which reflect on water quality and can be evaluated by abiotic variables. In this context, the aims were to compare the abiotic values recorded in streams of different land use categories with the limits established by National legislation, and to analyze changes in abiotic variables in response to different land use impacts. Thus, 17 streams located in southern Brazil were sampled and grouped into urban, rural, and protected areas (PA) categories. The results showed the major impacts in urban streams. However, some variables in rural streams and PA also exceeded local legislation limits. Conductivity, total dissolved solids, salinity, ammoniacal nitrogen and coliforms were significantly higher in the urban streams. Contrary to expectations, the highest levels of manganese were found in PA streams. The relationship between abiotic variables and land uses suggests possible contamination by sewage in urban streams and by pesticides in rural streams. The abiotic similarity between rural and PA streams indicates that the conservation of these water bodies is ineffective. We suggest the monitoring of these environments and measures to mitigate the impacts to seek the restoration of ecosystem services and the well-being of human populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on the Ukrainian experience of legal support for the concept of ecosystem services, which is recognized as one of the most promising and popular areas of science and practice. The article outlines the general principles of the concept of ecosystem services, including the history of its formation and development, its essence and significance, analyses the main international legal and European documents, which reflect this concept in one way or the other, and provides the current state and prospects for its implementation in Ukraine. Thorough review led to a conclusion about the insufficient level of development of the specified concept in Ukrainian environmental legislation. The article has suggested possible ways to overcome the gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China, there exists a huge debate for a long time on whether a double dividend, reducing pollution emissions and boosting employment, can be achieved by intensifying environmental regulations. In this paper, we use two data sets on provincial environmental legislation and Chinese manufacturing firms during 1998–2013, to estimate the impact of provincial environmental legislation on the firms' employment growth with a difference-in-difference (DID) model. Results showed that (1) after the implementation of environmental legislation, the employment growth of regulated manufacturing firms decreases significantly by 3.07%, and this result is robust to alternative tests. (2) Local environmental legislation reduces employment growth mainly via the influencing mechanism of the firm's entry and exit, export, and innovation. (3) The local environmental legislation has heterogeneous impacts on employment growth in different industries and different regions, and the estimated effect is more obvious in high-pollution industries and areas with strong enforcement. (4) Environmental legislation significantly improves job destruction and reduces job creation, resulting in a − 3.86% job net increase. Due to the long-term implementation of extensive economic growth mode, China's ecological environment has been deteriorating since the 1990s, and environmental pollution has attracted more and more social attention. Until 2013, the Communist Party of China put forward 'ecological civilization', and building a beautiful new China with harmonious coexistence between man and nature has become an important development strategy. Meanwhile, starting from the implementation of the Two-Control-Zone policy in 1998, China has implemented numerous environmental policies in just ten years. These environmental policies have greatly improved the quality of China's ecological environment, but their economic effects have been controversial. Given the special historical period, this paper helps assess the impact of Chinese environmental policies on employment and provides a more objective policy evaluation and implications for improving existing laws and regulations to achieve higher social welfare. To achieve this goal of balancing the improvement of the ecological environment and high employment level, environmental policies firstly should be flexible to ensure that the environmental standards follow the firm's characteristics and regional characteristics to avoid "one size fits all". Particularly, for regions with poor economic development or having a single industrial structure, the implementation cycle of the environmental policies should be extended to ensure that they have enough time to achieve industrial restructuring and complete the environmental protection goals. Secondly, we find that environmental legislation hurts employment growth by limiting export decisions, so the government should use multiple channels to stabilize export when implementing environmental legislation. Thirdly, technological R&D and innovation play an important role in the effect of environmental legislation on firms' employment growth. Therefore, the government should provide a more flexible environment for firms' R&D and innovation with appropriate fiscal policies and technical support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Natural Hazards & Environment (JNHE) / Doğal Afetler ve Çevre Dergisi (DACD) is the property of Artvin Coruh University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Cuadernos de Geografia: Revista Colombiana de Geografía is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The increasing concern regarding the degradation of the environment caused by unsustainable agricultural practices necessitates a more comprehensive examination of farmers' nature-friendly behavior and the influence of environmental legislation on their actions. This study employs face-to-face surveys conducted with a sample of 476 Chinese farmers to investigate the complex relationship between ecological commitment (ECO), environmental knowledge (EKN), the new ecological paradigm (NEP), and ecological behavior (EBH). Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used as the analytical approach. The findings indicate that ECO (β =.421, p <.01), EKN (β =.301, p <.01), and NEP (β =.271, p <.01) have statistically significant positive effects on EBH. This research also establishes the moderating role of legal cognition, highlighting the influence of farmers' understanding of environmental legislation on the connection between their commitment, knowledge, and ecological behavior. The significance of environmental legislation is underscored as a crucial mechanism for regulating and encouraging nature-friendly behavior at farms. This study recommends the implementation of increased awareness strategies and emphasizes the need for local administrations to promote and motivate environmentally sustainable behaviors by improving the legal cognition of farmers as a means to address the issue of environmental degradation due to unsustainable farming behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Espirales Revista Multidisciplinaria de Investigación is the property of Grupo Compas and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of this paper is to analyze the effects of Grenelle I and Grenelle II laws on financial performance, social performance, and risk-taking in France. The study is focussed on SBF120 (The SBF120 index consists of the 120 largest capitalizations listed on the French Stock Exchange market (SBF: Société des Bourses Françaises)) firms between 2005 and 2016. It provides the following results: first, it shows that after the introduction of the Grenelle I and II laws, financial performance decreased while corporate risk increased, particularly in low polluting industries. One explanation for this is that Grenelle laws are based on the comply or explain principle which may lead to adaptative and interpretative disclosure strategies. In addition, environmental regulations may involve high costs of compliance. In the short-term, environmental disclosure regulations do not drive businesses to improve their social performance: they have not been able to undertake socially and environmentally responsible projects based on good governance practices. Using the Environmental Policy Stringency EPS index to measure the stringency of environmental policy, we show that international binding laws such as the Paris Agreement, unlike locally binding Grenelle laws, are able to enhance the overall social performance through the environmental, social and governance channels. In the long-term, Grenelle laws show effective results on the environmental performance and the quality of governance which enhance the overall social performance without impairing the financial one. Finally, quantile regression analysis provides evidence that businesses are likely to increase their environmental performance at the expense of low financial and overall social performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Statistical data on the level of use of ash and slag from thermal power plants is provided. The results of an analysis of regulatory and technical documentation in the field of ash and slag management in the energy sector are presented. Laws, regulations, and other documents regulating the management of by-products of coal combustion are considered. It was noted that it is necessary to refine the existing documentation, introduce legally defined terms and definitions for a number of ash and slag processing products, and also legally consider ash and slag as mineral raw materials and not waste. Definitions of ash and slag are given in accordance with the current industry regulatory document, in which ash and slag are тще called waste but mineral residues of solid fuel. It is shown that various government agencies are preparing regulatory documents related to the involvement of ash and slag into economic circulation. However, the existing regulatory framework does not meet the goals of achieving the level of low-waste and waste-free production. It was noted that regional programs have currently been approved to increase the level of ash and slag utilization from thermal power plants in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Activities are presented that will make it possible to achieve the indicators for the level of utilization of ash and slag from thermal power plants in accordance with the Energy Development Strategy of the Russian Federation until 2035. It is explained how legally correct regulatory and technical documentation will make it possible to increase the level of ash and slag utilization in Russia and will help eliminate accumulated harm to the environment. It has been shown that the most large-scale, high-tech, environmentally friendly and economical use of fly ash is its replacement of up to 40% of cement in the construction of buildings and structures. Definitions of fly ash used in cements and concretes are given in the standards of different countries (EU countries, United States, Australia, India, China, Japan, Russia) depending on the type of ash formed. A comparative analysis of Russian and foreign national standards for the use of ash in cements and concretes was carried out in terms of physical and chemical characteristics, which are significant limiting factors when choosing directions and projects for the use of ash. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The legislation for regional environmental collaboration is of significant importance in enhancing the effectiveness of environmental protection. The existing literature focuses on the power struggle between central and local governments regarding environmental regulation within the realm of regional environmental governance, lacking an examination of the collaborative governance mechanisms and their effectiveness. Therefore, this study takes China's regional environmental collaborative legislation as its research object. It employs a difference-in-differences model to test the effectiveness of regional environmental collaborative legislation concerning environmental governance and conducts a qualitative analysis to examine the current practical challenges facing regional environmental collaborative legislation. The quantitative analysis results indicate that regional environmental collaborative legislation can effectively suppress the emission of environmental pollutants. Specifically, the implementation of regional environmental collaborative legislation results in a 19.7% reduction in prefecture-level wastewater emissions and a 26.6% reduction in sulfur dioxide emissions. Qualitative analysis results show that regional environmental collaborative legislation currently faces challenges such as localism, difficulties in legislative authority allocation, and a lack of cooperation mechanisms. Therefore, this paper proposes to establish a collaboration platform, balance the interests of stakeholders, and improve the allocation mechanism of environmental regulatory powers in order to better optimize the regional environmental collaborative legislation and enhance the government's environmental governance capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the fundamental tools to guarantee compliance with environmental laws is the sanctions, which act as deterrent mechanisms against possible violations. The present study focused on evaluating public perceptions towards environmental policies and sanctions, applying a methodology that integrates neutrosophy and indeterminate Likert scales to capture the complexity of human opinions on environmental legislation. By distributing a structured questionnaire to a representative sample, data was collected and subsequently analyzed using neutrosophic logic and cluster analysis techniques. The results underlined the importance of considering indeterminacy and uncertainty in the study of public perceptions towards environmental sanctions, providing valuable data for the improvement of environmental policies and communication in this area. This study demonstrates the relevance of addressing human attitudes and behaviors toward environmental challenges inclusively and effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Actual Problems of Jurisprudence / Habaršy. Zan̦ Seriâsy is the property of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Protected areas have long been the leading strategy to combat habitat fragmentation. However, studies have shown that this traditional approach can create habitat islands where populations are isolated, leading to their eventual extinction. As a result, conservation strategies have shifted to include more landscape-focused methods, including conservation corridors and ecological networks. However, what is not yet known is the extent to which South Africa's legislative and policy frameworks support this move. We identified and reviewed legislation and policies on conservation and protected areas in South Africa between 1976 to 2021 and outlined their shortcomings regarding a shift towards landscape-focused initiatives. None of the seven acts reviewed describe, protect, or enforce progressive landscape-based conservation methods. South Africa's environmental legislation is embedded in establishing and creating traditional protected areas while disregarding other methods. Moreover, the non-statutory policies reviewed were monotonous and had a limited scope that failed to provide an integrated and coordinated approach to conservation. Despite the plethora of protected area legislation and policies, South Africa's conservation approaches remain uninspiring and steadfast in traditional methods and have failed to evolve in 45 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Estudios del Hábitat is the property of Universidad Nacional de La Plata and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In recent years, the Canadian dairy sector has faced escalating challenges due to its significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane. This paper critically examines a spectrum of innovative techniques aimed at mitigating methane emissions within this sector, scrutinizing their cost-effectiveness, efficiency, compatibility with animal welfare standards, and adherence to both existing and prospective Canadian environmental legislations. The discourse begins with an exhaustive overview of contemporary methane reduction methodologies relevant to dairy farming, followed by a rigorous analysis of their economic feasibility. This includes a detailed cost-benefit analysis, juxtaposed with the efficiency and technological advancements these techniques embody. A pivotal aspect of this examination is the alignment of animal welfare with emission reduction objectives, ensuring that the strategies employed do not compromise the health and well-being of dairy cattle. Furthermore, the paper delves into the legislative landscape of Canada, evaluating the congruence of these techniques with current environmental laws and anticipating future regulatory shifts. Performance indicators for emission reduction are critically assessed, establishing benchmarks tailored to the Canadian context. This is complemented by an exploration of the market potential of these innovations, including factors influencing their adoption and scalability in the market. The analysis culminates with a synthesis of case studies and best practices within Canada, offering insights into successful implementations and drawing lessons for future endeavors. This comprehensive approach not only addresses the immediate environmental and health impacts associated with dairy farming emissions but also significantly contributes to the overarching goal of sustainable development in the agricultural sector. The research presented in this paper holds significant implications for the future of sustainable dairy farming, offering a model for addressing environmental challenges while maintaining economic viability and animal welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Nativa is the property of Revista Nativa and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of GeSec: Revista de Gestao e Secretariado is the property of Sindicato das Secretarias e Secretarios do Estado de Sao Paulo (SINSESP) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article is devoted to the theoretical and practical analysis of the organizational and legal problems involved in the evolution and implementation of the environmental policy as integral part of the sustainable development strategy of Ukraine. This research is based on the international documents defining the goals of sustainable development and that are guidelines for harmonizing legal instruments in rationalizing natural resource use conforming the European Green laws. Based on the analysis of the current environmental legislation of Ukraine and its application, as well as inculcating the views of scientists, a conclusion is drawn about the need for prioritizing sectoral environmental reforms in the fields of biodiversity protection, curbing industrial pollution, waste management, emission monitoring and reporting, environmental control, and statutory responsibility. The grey areas of improving Ukraine's environmental policy ensuring effective, transparent and modern post-war reconstruction are identified as: strengthening control over compliance with standards and environmental regulations concerning natural resource management; improving the mechanism of payments for harming the environment; giving tax benefits and other financial incentives to environmentally innovative practices; encouraging the environmental audit and certification; pricing flexibly the ecological products; stimulating scientific temperament in solving environmental problems; and so on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of GeSec: Revista de Gestao e Secretariado is the property of Sindicato das Secretarias e Secretarios do Estado de Sao Paulo (SINSESP) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Soil habitat quality is an important indicator of environmental health. NewZealand soils are in critical condition because of various land-use practices, such as intensification of agriculture and urban growth, causing increased erosion and loss of fertile soil. Soil consists of organic (carbon-rich, microbe-laden detritus) and inorganic (weathered rock particles, minerals, water, air) components that are vital for sustaining flora and fauna, including humans. Soil in and of itself is alive with various forms of biota. Soil conservation takes an anthropocentric, utilitarian approach to policy and planning, whereas soil preservation takes an ecocentric or nature-centred approach. When the catchment boards of the earlier eras [governed by the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Act 1941 (NZ)] were decommissioned to make way for regional councils around the time when the Resource Management Act 1991 (NZ) came into force, the soil scientific expertise was largely lost. At the same time, soil quality in New Zealand has been deteriorating ever since. In this paper, I argue for the establishment of community-based soil conservancies and conservancy officers and, ultimately, the legal endowment of personhood on soil in order for kaitiaki oneone (soil guardians) to be appointed. These measures will assist in the protection of soils, which will lead to better outcomes for the environment and generations to come. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Researchers not only respond to a strategic direction; their discovery of emerging issues also make them accountable to guide policy reform. The alignment of environmental doctoral research with environmental-related legislation and policy documents in South Africa is unknown. Doctoral research from 1998, the inception date of the National Environmental Management Act, to 2017 was analysed through a systematic literature review strategy and content analysis to determine the alignment of doctoral research topics to the key strategic environmental themes derived from 1 African policy document and 10 South African policy documents and legislation. A comparative knowledge map was developed to graphically represent the extent of alignment, the under-researched themes, gaps and the potential niche areas for future research. The comparative knowledge map assists in discovering where the knowledge is located, and where the gaps exist. It further offers policymakers and researchers a clear way to make decisions on past and current focus areas and points out where potential future research and practitioners' foci should be. The extent to which South African research is responsive to national environmental priorities and goals is now known and environmental-related research is expected to demonstrate real-world relevance, not only aligning with policy but also guiding policy reform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental law has long been an area of concern in terms of correct implementation and enforcement. In this context, the Commission's enforcement focus has been on "systemic" breaches of environmental law (that is, breaches that form part of a pattern of individual breaches that, taken together, because of their repeated or widespread nature, have a significant effect on the environment). Proving the existence of such breaches in environmental law presents a number of peculiar features, because of the scientifically–loaded questions which underlie environmental legislation. The aim of this article is to relate the established approach of the CJEU towards scientific uncertainty to the specific situation in which the Commission asserts that a breach of EU environmental law has a systemic nature. It will show that, while the CJEU has been sensitive to the systemic nature of the claims brought forward by the Commission by using some of the procedural tools at its disposal, its general reticence to engage with the substantive claims at stake might have the potential to reduce the effectiveness of the infringement proceedings as a tool to adequately pursue systemic breaches of EU environmental legislation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Plant Ecology is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Actual Problems of Jurisprudence / Habaršy. Zan̦ Seriâsy is the property of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Urbanization occurs now more rapidly than before, due to the development of compact cities or urban sprawl, threatening quasi-natural areas, especially those protected within/near built-up ones. Europe lacks laws dedicated to natural protected areas within built-up areas, which are subject to the same provisions as natural protected ones, or a legislative vacuum. This research aimed to find the best planning approach for resiliently conserving and developing these areas and establishing grounds for a new tool used for planning the proximity of natural areas within cities. The methodology involved selecting two groups of countries, Nordic and eastern European, and treating these areas differently. The choice was based on specific political history. The study analyzed the legislative and planning framework and compared the approaches of 11 analyzed countries to pinpoint the basic aspects accounted for and applied to other European territories, in order to preserve the characteristics of urban morpho-typology and the particularities of local landscapes. The comparison results suggest solutions such as adopting specific regulations for urban protected areas and their adjacent zones through legal documents, completing/detailing environmental legislation in Nordic countries, adopting laws dedicated to protected natural areas within and/or close to built areas, and changing the approach to protecting natural areas with urban planning or land use tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Environmental protection is close related with environmental education. Environmental education is as necessary in the educational system as outside it. The present study, starting from the perception of the representatives of the local rural public administration and the citizens of the rural communities on environmental protection issues: (i) highlights the need for information and education in the field of environmental protection, especially with regard to environmental legislation and waste management; (ii) demonstrates the usefulness of environmental educational projects and the use of open educational resources, as resources that can be easily adapted to the real needs of education and information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Koinonía: Revista Arbitrada Interdisciplinaria de Ciencias de la Educación, Turismo, Ciencias Sociales y Económicas, Ciencias del Agro y Mar y Ciencias Exactas y Aplicadas is the property of Fundacion Koinonia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Dixi is the property of Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The increasing global demand for energy- and resource-efficient, environmentally friendly products has led the European Union (EU) to develop a sustainable product policy, incorporating ecodesign legislation and energy labeling as effective tools for promoting energy efficiency and sustainability. Recent European energy policies, such as the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) and the Ecodesign Directive (EDD), have set new objectives for enhancing energy efficiency. This study focuses on the 2012 Lot 4: Industrial and Laboratory Furnaces and Ovens, Tasks 1–7 Final Report, which informed the European Commission's 2014 working document for the Ecodesign Consultation Forum on industrial and laboratory furnaces and ovens. The working document proposed initial draft measures and requirements for this product group, aiming to achieve specific energy savings and related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions. The findings of the investigations on energy consumption and GHG emissions are presented in this work, with draft calculations and projections serving as the foundation for discussions on future measures. The BAT (best available technologies) scenario would result in lower environmental impacts. The initial and indicative draft Lot 4 impact assessment predictions for energy savings demonstrate the positive influence of prospective ecodesign measures in reducing energy consumption. These deliberations will ultimately contribute to the formulation of an official mandatory regulation for industrial and laboratory furnaces and ovens, in line with the EU's sustainable product policy objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Internacional de Ciências is the property of Editora da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (EdUERJ) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose. To identify controversial and problematic provisions of the current legislation of Ukraine in the sphere of environmental protection which form the plane of legal responsibility for violations of environmental standards and norms. Methodology. The following research methods were used: the monographic method of scientific research, synthesis and analysis, the economic-statistical method, the method of detailing and concretizing the obtained results, the method of scientific-abstract systematization of results, and the graphic method of visualizing the results of scientific research. Findings. In Ukraine, a regulatory framework has been established that regulates the system of responsibility for environmental violations. Its main forms include disciplinary, administrative, civil, and criminal responsibility. It has been found that the modern environmental legislation is characterized by certain shortcomings in the identification and prosecution of persons guilty of violating the norms of existing laws. This is confirmed by the analysis of the amount of damage and losses caused to the environment, the dimensions of which are increasing annually in Ukraine. Simultaneously with the increase in the amount of damage caused, the degree of non-identification of persons who are responsible for causing damage to natural resources and the environment is increasing. The analysis of regional differences in environmental responsibility also demonstrates significant differences between the administrative regions of Ukraine in terms of the discipline of environmental responsibility. Originality. Based on the results of the conducted research, the main problematic aspects regarding legal responsibility for violations of environmental legislation in Ukraine were identified and analyzed. A need for a fundamental change in the concept of environmental responsibility for economic entities within the framework of sustainable development strategy has been identified. A gradual change in the basic principles and approaches to responsibility for violations of environmental legislation in the direction of predominance of preventive functions of environmental protection over punitive ones was proposed. Tools for possible improvement of environmental legislation were also proposed, in particular, fiscal preferences for environmentally tolerant industries, application of trade quotas for industrial enterprises that pollute the environment, harmonization of sanctions and environmental tax rates in accordance with the legislation of European countries. Practical value. The research results and proposed measures for improving the current procedures and mechanisms of legal liability for environmental offenses can be used by specialists of legal departments and services at the level of micro-management and macro-management to solve the tasks of further improvement of the current legal framework and increase the level of social responsibility of business and officials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of environmental protection and responsibility for environmental legislation violations is extremely important under conditions of war in Ukraine and the increased risk of committing environmental crimes on its territory. The purpose was to clarify the main aspects of the legal regulation of environmental relations in Ukraine and in European countries. The main result was the identification of signs of responsibility of individuals and legal entities in the framework of environmental relations, the analysis of the main regulatory legal acts regulating these social relations, the clarification of the distinctive and similar features of responsibility for violations of environmental legislation in Ukraine and in European countries, in particular in France, Denmark and Germany. A number of environmental initiatives aimed at improving the environmental conditions and the regulatory provision within the limits of social relations, etc., have been distinguished. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Quaestio Iuris (QI) is the property of Editora da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (EdUERJ) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The essence of environmental protection legislation is analyzed. For this purpose, foreign and Ukrainian scientific literature as well as normative and legal documents, in which the right of nature protection is enshrined, was studied. It has been proven, that in the conditions of martial law in Ukraine, environmental protection legal acts should be aimed at mitigating the consequences of the armed aggression of the russian federation. For this, it is advisable to use the development of the law of the World Trade Organization. Environmental legislation is considered in the system of international environmental law (International Environmental Law). This approach is due to the global consequences of Russia's military aggression against Ukraine. Since mitigating the consequences of military actions on the territory of Ukraine requires a return from imbalance to stability, the issue of sustainable development has been brought up to date. Therefore, the essence is outlined and the main goals of sustainable development are listed, the implementation of which guarantees stability in the world, in particular in the field of nature protection. Implementation of the goals of sustainable development in life, restoration of balance in nature and international relations depends on specific subjects, so a list of them is given, and the main powers in the field of nature protection are outlined. Some decisions of such an international organization as the World Trade Organization regarding the provision of nature protection by economic methods are commented on. The importance of nature protection organizations in the field of environmental protection, their interaction with subjects of authority is also outlined. Since nature protection is closely related to the use of natural resources in the process of agricultural production, which guarantees the food security of humanity in general and Ukraine in particular, new approaches of the European Union to the regulation of the Common Agricultural Policy have been studied. In general, this work is based on the statement about the importance of applying all possible measures to mitigate the impact of Russian military aggression on the environment, in particular in the field of nuclear security. This will make it possible to return to the implementation of the model of sustainable development, the creation of which was aimed at solving the global problems of our time, but the implementation of which is made impossible by the active warfare on the territory of Ukraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Sustainability in Debate / Sustentabilidade em Debate is the property of University of Brasilia, Center for Sustainable Development and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Geociências is the property of Revista Geociencias and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The European Union (EU) Emissions Trading System (ETS) has been established for more than 15 years, but limited attention has been given to how the changing political environment may affect the policy. We address this gap by investigating how the EU enlargement after 2004 affected the ETS and how the effects have been buffered. We develop a framework of institutional resilience to investigate how the established norms and institutional constellation of the EU legislative triumvirate have been instrumental for buffering the effects of the enlargement on ETS policymaking. We find that the existing power structure and functional complementarity of the EU legislative settings have fostered a consensus-building atmosphere in the ETS decision-making to accommodate preference heterogeneity and to absorb the compositional impact after the enlargement. The findings highlight the importance of contextual factors and institutional settings in ETS analysis and suggest a new perspective for assessing dynamic ETS performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]