Pollution and Law

Abstract

AbstractPollution law is the result of decades of legislative evolution in environmental law. The inherent complexity of pollution has legal consequences. Pollution norms are not compiled into one single harmonised pollution law and much less a “pollution code”. This makes it much harder to know, interpret, apply, monitor and implement pollution laws, and to apply sanctions to the violations of those laws. The final reason that explains and justifies efforts to regulate, tax, charge for, clean up, supervise and sanction pollution is protection of the victims of pollution. Intensive linear economic activity, which ignores the limits of the environment and the resulting long-term damage, is depleting the planet’s resources. It is therefore crucial to implement strategies and solutions that enable pollution prevention and that maximise the value of resources. Pollution prevention must be proactive and needs a pre-planned strategy. Current and future generations deserve a pollution-free world. Pollution is a battle that can be won.