The effectiveness of environmental law: third European environmental law forum conference

Abstract

The primary function of environmental law is to foster nature protection and conservation. However up until now environmental law has had limited success in fulfilling its function. According to the latest UNEP’s GEO report “The currently observed changes to the Earth System are unprecedented in human history. Efforts to slow the rate or extent of change – including enhanced resource efficiency and mitigation measures – have resulted in moderate successes, but have not succeeded in reversing adverse environmental changes. Neither the scope of these nor their speed has abated in the past five years”. As further stated by UNEP, “many subnational, national and international instruments now in place are contributing to environmental improvements. There is evidence, however, of continuing deterioration in many places and for most of the global environmental issues”. In September, 2015 the effectiveness of environmental law was discussed at the third European Environmental Law Forum Conference. This article briefly reviews the event and selected presentations.