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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 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.)

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]

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]

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]

In order to prevent environmental pollution and to utilize natural resources more efficiently, environmentally friendly policies have been developed in our country in accordance with international developments. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulation, which came into effect for the first time in 1993, was introduced in Turkey in accordance with Law No. 2872 published in 1983. Within the scope of this study, the statistical analysis of EIA applications in Amasya province has been conducted since 2000 in accordance with the EIA Regulations in force, and an evaluation of the current situation has been presented. Additionally, investments decided within the scope of the EIA Regulation were evaluated in relation to gross domestic product (GDP) national calculations [GDP (in thousand TL), GDP per capita ($), and GDP per capita (TL)] using data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) for the years 2004-2022. Investments planned within the borders of Amasya province resulted in a total of 396 (100%), of which 37 (9%) listed as EIA Positive belonged to EIA Regulation Appendix-1 investments, and 359 (91%) listed as EIA Not Required belonged to EIA Regulation Appendix-2 investments between 2000-2023. According to the analysis based on decision numbers, it was evaluated that investments defined within the scope of Appendix-2 of the EIA Regulation were significantly high within the borders of Amasya province.

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]

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 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.)

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 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.)

China's New Environmental Protection Law (NEPL) is an important adjustment in the face of the "new normal of economic development". Leveraging the Difference-in-Difference (DID) method, we discern the multifaceted positive effects of the NEPL on both the qualitative and quantitative dimensions of green innovation. The mechanism analysis indicates that the enactment engenders heightened environmental awareness among senior management, increased cash holdings, and released financing constraints, leading to enhance the green innovations. Interestingly, a positive tone of management discussion and analysis (MD&A) can amplify the NEPL's effect on green innovation scale, but its moderating effect on the quality development is not significant. Furthermore, the NEPL can more comprehensively and significantly enhance the green innovation activities in capital-intensive industries and large corporations. [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 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]

ABSTRACT: The environmental regulation of continental fish farming in Brazil is closely linked to land occupation and use. Areas used for this activity are mostly located in permanent preservation areas (PPA), close to rivers and springs, demonstrating the necessity of regulating this activity for its compliance with public policy. Santa Catarina is a leading state in fish farming and one of the first to regulate the use of PPAs. The feasibility of a proposal for environmental compensation to regularize the use of PPAs in Santa Catarina for fish farming; was therefore, assessed. The results showed that 74% of the fish farms analyzed need to regularize the occupation of production structures in PPAs. Regarding the proposed index of compensation for use in PPAs, the environmental compensation factor (ECF), through evaluation of the individual maps and subsequent integrated evaluation, all the fish farms identified with environmental liabilities in occupation had ratios of 1:2 and 1:3, and this index is a viable alternative for environmental regularization of the activity. It was further proposed that ECF be applied to small fish farms of up to four fiscal modules and that they have a standard minimum occupancy profile in relation to the total area of the property, as assessed in the present study.

The Atlantic Forest is a global biodiversity hotspot and a significant provider of ecosystem services to 65% of the Brazilian population. Due to being highly threatened, it is protected by federal law 11,428/2006, which establishes forest use restrictions based on native vegetation successional stages in the Atlantic Forest, with more advanced stages receiving more protection. The classification parameters are established at the state level. However, the parameters employed to classify forest fragments in different successional stages are subjective and imprecise, negatively impacting environmental permitting and related offset policies. Here, we critically assessed the major limitations in applying the 11,428/2006 law and presented alternatives for establishing a more transparent, applicable, legally safe, and effective protocol for identifying the conservation value of forest fragments. We also highlight problems related to sampling, indicators, and methodologies and present guidelines for revising the parameters for applying the Atlantic Forest law and associated state-level resolutions. We suggest an inclusive two-step analysis based on vegetation structure, forest cover history, biodiversity, ecosystem services (social), and landscape indicators. By employing a more technological approach and transferring part of the assessment responsibility to the state-level environmental agencies instead of allowing self-declared reports by landowners, our proposal focuses on the potential for evaluating ecological integrity among different successional classes by forest types. As nearly 90% of the remaining Brazilian Atlantic Forest is located within private lands, improving this legal instrument is essential for protecting the vulnerable biodiversity of this unique and threatened biome.

The study examines the spatiotemporal dynamics of landscape anthropization in the Kiziba-Baluba Hunting Domain (KBHD), near Lubumbashi in southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, facing increasing human threats. It assesses these dynamics from 1989 to 2023 using remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and landscape ecology principles. The results reveal a significant decrease in forest cover, declining from 70.33 % in 1989 to 26.22 % in 2023, with an annual deforestation rate of -1.84 %. This deforestation has led to the expansion of savannas (63.93 %), agriculture (5.76 %), and built-up and bare soil (0.93 %) through patch creation and aggregation. The level of landscape disturbance has increased sixfold over 34 years, from 0.42 in 1989 to 2.81 in 2023. The reduction in the size of the largest forest patch and increased spatial isolation show rising fragmentation and dissection, often followed by the attrition of residual patches. These findings highlight the inefficiency of current conservation measures in KBHD, indicating a need for restructuring management, redefining protected area boundaries, developing a suitable management plan, implementing reforestation programs, strengthening enforcement of environmental laws, and actively involving local communities.

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]

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.)

China's New Environmental Protection Law (NEPL) represents a significant shift from the traditional administration to environmental legalization. Polluting enterprises face more pronounced contradictions between short-term environmental compliance and long-term development. Therefore, based on the CNRDS and CSMAR databases, this paper uses the 2015 NEPL as a quasi-natural experiment to investigate the micro-effects and mechanisms of environmental legislation on firms' investment preferences and environmental performance. The main findings of this paper are as follows. (1) The implementation of the NEPL effectively promotes the key pollutant-discharge enterprises (PDEs) to increase similar financial and environmental investment, and furthermore, the endogenous financing attributes of short-term financial investments can also provide financing for long-term environmental investment. This is due to the "reservoir" motive and the improvement in the executives' environmental awareness and green attention. (2) The NEPL exhibits heterogeneous policy effects. The key PDEs with political connections are more concerned about environmental management and investment. However, the NEPL's positive impact on environmental investment is weakened in regions with high levels of environmental justice. (3) A shift in the key PDEs' investment structure triggers a series of economic and environmental effects, such as increasing their risk-taking capacity, reducing environmental uncertainty, and significantly improving green patents. This paper provides policy implications for the process of environmental legalization in China and other developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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.

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

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 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.)

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.)

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]

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.)

Abstract The integrated management paradigm proposes dealing with a resource, such as water, considering its interrelationships with other environmental components. This vision has been adopted as a policy in several countries, including Colombia, but its results have not been satisfactory. This article studies the “integrative” approach in previous regulatory arrangements, making a historical review of them to understand how the perception and management of the environment by societies in Colombia have evolved. We show how the notion of a complex and integrated environment is not exclusive from current policies but has been present in the laws for several centuries, so its consideration does not guarantee success. Strategies are proposed to improve the results of recent regulatory arrangements.

Abstract The article reviews Brazilian environmental policy, observing its central mechanisms, arguing that these are based on a conception of shared responsibility in the care for nature that has recently been undermined. From three approaches of political theory that discuss the problems of coordination of action, deliberation, and environmental justice, we analyze the institutional mechanisms of responsibility as protection, participation, and control, observing their relevance and justification for environmental policy. The article uses empirical documentary data to reflect on the potentials of the environmental policy model in the face of the possible implications of its deformation, concluding that the shared character of responsibility in environmental policy is the central focus of the changes that have been occurring, which puts an important democratic dimension at risk

ABSTRACT Most Brazilian municipalities do not have regulated areas for solid waste disposal in civil construction. Usually, residues are disposed of vacant lots and dumps, posing risks to the population health and the environment. Soils are the primary means for the disposal or recycling of waste, highlighting the importance of well-characterized soils and their respective landscape. This study aimed to establish a land suitability system for solid residues in civil construction and apply such information in a case study in Southeastern Brazil. An unprecedented digital soil map with a resolution of 30 m was created using the random forest classifier algorithm and soil field prospection information. A guide listing favorable soil-landscape attributes that most prevent soil erosion, water bodies or water table contamination was elaborated and discussed. Thus, such information was linked through a suitability system to classify areas with potential for receiving waste on a daily volume basis as follows: large size: >500 m³ day-1, medium size: >100 m³ day-1 and

Compared to pristine ecosystems, urban protected areas (PAs) are exposed to intensified pressure and deterioration due to rapid population growth and entangled stakeholders’ interests. At the same time, these valuable ecosystems provide cities with ecosystem services, including cultural ones, and enhance the quality of life. Spatial analysis of PAs’ transformations in the context of the multidisciplinary approach contributes to the detection and safeguarding of vulnerable ecosystems. The study object is the protected areas of Moscow megapolis (within boundaries until 2012), whereas the study subject is the spatial and temporal PA’s transformations established by legislative acts. The research question is to devise a model of transformations designated by law within urban PAs and affecting their borders, land use, and rate of ecosystem deterioration. To achieve the research question, three goals were set: to gather spatial data on PAs’ transformations within Moscow designated by legislative acts; to design a comprehensive and exhaustive classification of PAs’ transformations established by legislative acts; to model spatial and temporal trends in transformations of Moscow PAs (1985-2022), according to the classification devised. The 3-compound framework for the analysis of legislative transformations (downgrading, downsizing, degazettment of protected areas) was coupled by content analysis of transformation events, GIS mapping, and spatial analysis of urban vegetation through NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index) estimations and raster computations in QGIS and GDAL software. The originality of our study derives from: the analysis of the 4th transformations’ compound (design failures of new PAs); spatial comparison with positive transformations, strengthening nature conservation; uncovering detailed subtypes and levels of transformations; applying this approach to the local scale of megapolis. Our study is based on: 1985-2022 legislative acts with text and map representations of PAs’ borders, zones and land-use designated by regional government and national ministries; national and Moscow open-access spatial data hubs; Moscow online news; 2001-2021 Landsat imageries and Global Forest Change data on Moscow region. Adverse transformations affected a larger area than positive ones (53.8% of a total PA area compared to 22.6%). Positive transformations contributed by PAs’ design (49.5%) mostly, while adverse ones – by easing of restrictions on land use (60.3%) and failures in the design of new PAs (22.8%). Adverse transformations are mainly reflected in the downsizing of zones with the strictest prohibitions on land use (-68% on average) and a low share of designed PAs (54%) through the period 1985-2022. Woodland plantations dramatically expanded (+86.5%), replacing seminatural urban forests (2005-2021). Hence, PA’s ability to supply ecosystem services has been considerably diminished. In regard to Moscow, considerable adverse trends in nature protection were revealed, generally hidden from the public. The analyzed typology of Moscow PAs’ transformations is quite conventional and may be improved through comparisons with other megapolises abundant in natural heritage to advance the model devised and elicit threats to nature conservation.

The present study aims to analyze the records of the inhalable particulate matter PM10 from 2002 to 2018 in the cities of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Porto Alegre (Brazil), Montevideo (Uruguay), and Buenos Aires (Argentina), verifying if they were within the established limits and if the air quality reports, produced in each city, were contextualizing air pollution with relevant legislation and geographic factors. For this, we downloaded the air quality reports from websites of environmental agencies that, in accordance with their laws, are obligated to publish them. After reading, it was pointed out: the publication formats, if geographic factors were addressed in air quality analyses, the legal bases for the diagnosis, as well as which of them were more tolerant with air pollution, and the frequency they published their data and their justifications. Next, a comparison of the annual average and maximum in 24 hours PM10 records was performed. Therefore, we found that São Paulo presented the most complete document and Buenos Aires the least comprehensive. Rio de Janeiro exceeded PM10 tolerance limits several times, and Montevideo has the least polluted air quality. Only Buenos Aires did not address geographic factors as a form of analysis or suggestions. Finally, it is suggested that Porto Alegre and Buenos Aires should increase their data collection networks. The poor performance of some cities make it difficult to accomplish the task to transform them in more sustainable and healthy places.

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.

Purpose. The purpose of the research is to identify the shortcomings of the current legislation of Ukraine in the field of ecological rehabilitation of radioactively contaminated territories, as well as to provide proposals for possible ways to overcome them. Methodology. The methodology includes a comprehensive analysis and generalization of the available scientific and theoretical material and the formulation of relevant conclusions and proposals. During the writing of the article, both general scientific methods of scientific knowledge and special-legal ones were used, including formal-legal, structural-functional, systemic and other methods. Results: in the process of research, it was established that the current legislation of Ukraine in the field of ecological rehabilitation of radioactively contaminated territories contains norms of a local nature, which determine the legal regime of the territories affected by the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. At the same time, radioactively contaminated territories in Ukraine are the territories of former uranium mining and processing plants, tailings storage facilities (Dnipropetrovsk and Kirovohrad regions). Based on this, the expediency of supplementing the Law of Ukraine "On the Use of Nuclear Energy and Radiation Safety" with the section "Radioactively Contaminated Territories" was determined, the effect of which would extend to the entire territory of Ukraine. In addition, the article proposes to give the land plots on which uranium production waste storage sites, buildings and structures contaminated with natural radioactive substances, which due to their ecological danger cannot be used in economic activities, the legal status of those that are not subject to taxation, as well as to establish additional subsidies from the State Budget of Ukraine for the relevant local budgets in order to compensate for the loss of revenues of local budgets as a result of the exemption from taxation of land plots that are radioactively contaminated. Originality. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the possibility of using the obtained results for further scientific developments in the field of legal regulation of ecological rehabilitation of radioactively contaminated territories. Practical significance. The results of the research can be used in law-making activities with the aim of improving the provisions of the current legislation of Ukraine in the field of ecological rehabilitation of radioactively contaminated territories.

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]

Copyright of Bitácora Urbano/Territorial is the property of Bitacora Urbano/Territorial 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.)