Boer, Ben

The sustainability challenges we face today are greater than any we have previously confronted. This year, the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Law is a necessary part of the solution to sustainability challenges. To achieve sustainability goals, appropriate and well-implemented legal frameworks and tools must be in place. And, importantly, they must be effective. And to ensure thatlaws work, we must first understand what makes law effective.

How can we guarantee a right to life or a right to health without also guaranteeing a decent environment in which to exercise these rights? It is becoming increasingly obvious that a high quality environment is key to the fundamental human rights of life and health, and associated rights such as the right to clean water, adequate housing, and food. This book canvasses a range of law and policy issues concerning human rights and the environment.

This is a unique publication relating to legal frameworks of natural resources management. Following the “Legal and Institutional Frameworks for Sustainable Soils” (EPLP 45), this publication contributes to the revision of existing, and drafting of new, legislation relating to soils. It highlights the need for national soil policy, and sets out a soil management plan. It proposes legal and institutional elements that specifically address the needs of disadvantaged people, particularly women.

The 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development placed a responsibility on States to protect the local, regional and global environment, especially problems shared by the whole community such as soil degradation.

The legislation of five countries on environmental and natural management is examined and analyzed in terms of its effectiveness in addressing the major environmental issues existing in each country. Practical recommendations are made, building on the findings of the review carried out by SPREP with the technical assistance of IUCN, and support from the ADB.