Sustainability. Net zero. Environmental law. You hear these words more often nowadays, and for a good reason. More than just buzzwords, these terms reflect the collective behavioral shift in caring more for the natural resources and reducing carbon footprint. That’s why there is a massive effort in going green and minimizing environmental harm, reducing the amount of resources you use, reusing and recycling whenever and wherever possible and conserving energy.
There are laws in place to help protect the environment. The collective term for it is environmental law.
What is environmental law?
Environmental laws aim to protect human health and preserve the environment for generations to come. They also aim to ensure sustainable development. They outline regulations and policies governing air quality, water quality, and waste management. They also address chemical safety and protecting endangered species.
Government agencies play a significant role in enforcing environmental law. In the United States, the agency that has a significant involvement is the Environmental Protection Agency or EPA.
The EPA, in collaboration with other agencies involved in environmental law, monitor and regulate activities that have a potential impact on the environment.
Internationally, environmental law addresses pressing global issues such as climate change, biodiversity preservation and protection, and ozone depletion. National governments and international organizations usually cooperate in implementing and negotiating agreements.
Why is it important?
Environmental law is important because it protects human health. It addresses concerns that may impact human health directly and indirectly. This includes air and water pollution, as well as dangerous waste. Its role is to minimize extraneous factors that may have a negative impact on the environment, deplete natural resources, and contribute to human disease.
Taking the time to gain a basic understanding allows for business leaders to reduce the risk of allegations of a violation — a potentially costly issue that can serve as a serious hurdle for any project.