Environmental Principles and the Right to a Quality Environment

Abstract

This contribution traces the history of environmental rights over the past few decades, focusing on international and regional human rights instruments, as well as case law. It does so in the context of the environmental principles associated with environmental rights. It explores the meaning of a ‘quality’ environment, and canvasses the distinction between procedural and substantive rights in the environmental realm. The work of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to environment is covered. The constitutionalization and legislative enactment of the right to environment are explored. The role of the courts in addressing environmental rights is briefly looked at. Research gaps are identified, and areas for further research are also set out. A comprehensive bibliography is included.

Keywords: Environmental principles, environmental rights, quality environment, international law, procedural rights, substantive rights, anthropocentric, ecocentric, constitutionalization of rights, role of courts

JEL Classification: K10, K30, K32, K33