Global Law Today’s Post

Announcement: Minister Broke Law Over Emergency Order for Spotted Owl: Judge I am sharing an important legal development that aligns with my ongoing work on legal empowerment and regulatory frameworks. A federal court judge has ruled that Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault violated the Species at Risk Act by delaying an emergency order to protect the endangered spotted owl in British Columbia. This case highlights the critical need for timely and decisive action in environmental governance. In my recent article, "Beyond Band-Aids: Legal Empowerment as a Catalyst for Environmental Change," I emphasize the importance of enforceable regulations and the role of legal empowerment in achieving environmental justice. This case is a practical example of how delays and bureaucratic processes undermine statutory obligations designed to protect vulnerable species and ecosystems. Justice Yvan Roy's decision underscores that prompt action is legally required once an imminent threat to a species is identified. The judge's assertion that "the machinery of government cannot undermine the clear statutory obligations made to the minister resonates with my advocacy for regulatory integrity and accountability. As always, I encourage my students to engage with such developments critically, understand the legal implications, and consider diverse perspectives. The study of regulation thrives on diverse views, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the complexities. Stay engaged and continue to explore, question, and challenge! https://lnkd.in/ebSrjd2v #AlgonquinCollege #ThomasConway #OntarioColleges #EnvironmentalJustice #LegalEmpowerment #RegulatoryAffairs #ClimateAction #SustainableFuture #EnvironmentalPolicy #PublicParticipation #CommunityEmpowerment #Transparency #Accountability #EnvironmentalGovernance https://lnkd.in/euwmu2Eh

European green groups are cautiously optimistic over the forthcoming EU Nature Restoration Law. #publiclands #conservation #wildlifeconservation #wildlifeprotection #publicparks https://lnkd.in/g6tBe7t2

The Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT) has provided an excellent account of the struggle for, and final approval of the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) by Environmental Minister’s in the European Council last week. Both the IWT and Zero Waste Alliance Ireland are delighted with this result, as the NRL is one of the most important pieces of environmental legislation in 30 years and has legally binding targets for effective restoration of EU land and sea. The NRL aims to restore 20% of EU land and 20% of EU seas by 2030 with the aim that all degraded ecosystems will be in good environmental condition by 2050. Currently 81% of protected habitats are in poor or bad ecological condition and there has been a drastic decline in species with 63% of protected species also in a bad state. This law had gone through the trilogue negotiations process between the EU Council, the Parliament and the Commission and a final text was agreed upon by all three institutions at the end of 2023. It was thought that the biggest hurdle to adoption would be achieving a majority vote to approve the law in the European Parliament but in February of this year, MEP’s voted in favour. In March a final stamp of approval from the European Council was scheduled to make the law official but in a last minute turn of events, Hungary decided to change its position at Council and reject the law. This meant that there was no longer a qualified majority of EU citizens by Member State supporting the law. A qualified majority means 15 Member States making up 65% of the EU population is in favour. The law was once more in limbo. You can more of this important story in the IWT blog: https://lnkd.in/dgC7XGbi

The EU Nature Restoration Law entered into force over the weekend. 👏 The historic law sets legally-binding targets for Member States to restore 20% of land areas and 20% of seas by 2030, and all #ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. Ireland’s National Parks and Wildlife Service is currently drawing up a #NationalRestorationPlan which will hopefully bring about major results for #biodiversity and will need the support of all government departments, local authorities and communities #ForNature🌿👏 #NRL #NatureRestorationLaw #RestoreNature Work has already started on a stakeholder engagement process to inform the development of the Plan, with interactive workshops focussing on the impact of the regulation on land, marine and urban environments- read more: https://lnkd.in/eZnfSCp7

Environmental Law in Wildlife Conservation and Sustainable Development Environmental law plays an essential role in the framework for sustainable development, ensuring that human prosperity is achieved in harmony with nature, rather than at its expense. Although there are numerous environmental and natural resources laws in place, they currently fall short of providing the necessary legal foundation for true sustainability. This gap is particularly evident in the context of wildlife conservation, a critical component of sustainable development and a focal point of SDG 15 (Life on Land). SDG 15 emphasizes the importance of protecting, restoring, and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably managing forests, combating desertification, and halting and reversing land degradation and biodiversity loss. Achieving these goals requires robust legal frameworks that support and enforce conservation efforts. To make significant progress toward a sustainable society, it is imperative to develop and implement new laws and legal institutions tailored to the needs of wildlife conservation, or to substantially reform existing ones. These legal structures must address the challenges of habitat destruction, poaching, and illegal wildlife trade, ensuring that conservation efforts are legally supported and enforced. As the demand for legal expertise in sustainable development grows among governments, businesses, and non governmental organizations, lawyers are increasingly rising to the challenge. They are engaging with the complexities of wildlife conservation and sustainable development, creating and advocating for laws that promote the preservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of natural resources. The integration of robust environmental laws into the broader framework of sustainable development is crucial. By strengthening the legal foundations that support wildlife conservation, we can move closer to achieving SDG 15 and ensuring a harmonious coexistence between human activities and the natural world. ♻️Repost and Follow Opeyemi OYAWALE for more! #EnvironmentalLaw #WildlifeConservation #SustainableDevelopment #SDG15 #LifeOnLand

Exciting news: The EU Council officially adopted the EU Nature Restoration Law, marking the last step for this long-awaited proposal to finally become law! More than seven months after the original agreement of the European Parliament, Commission, and Council on the Nature Restoration Law, the Council finally gave the green light and officially adopted the law on 17 June 2024. The delay was due to persistent resistance from several EU member states in the Council. The missing majority threatened to jeopardise the compromise that was reached by the EU institutions after lengthy trilogue negotiations on 9 November 2023. These negotiations had already resulted in numerous compromises and concessions. Its adoption marks a great step forward for the protection of the environment and wildlife in Europe, with specific targets set for member states to protect and preserve their wild habitats. Learn more:

The European Parliament approved today the EU Nature Restoration Law. Now for the European Council to also confirm it. It’s the most meaningful piece of biodiversity-related legislation since the Habitats Directive.

Read a free online chapter from 'A Practical Guide to Habitats Law in Planning and Permitting in England' by Brendon Moorhouse This book provides a practical guide to habitats law in relation to planning and permitting in England. It contains a long-overdue introduction to, and overview of, the complicated and rapidly evolving system of wildlife and habitat protection both on land and in the marine environment. As well as providing an introduction to key legal principles, it explains the processes followed and factors taken into account in reaching decisions involving our natural world. More Info / Buy Online / Read a FREE Online Chapter: https://lnkd.in/epPQwxQb Brendon Moorhouse

Well, it looks like the NT Government will be joining the list of examples in my research on why we need to 'Reimagine the role and purpose of Environmental Law'. A classic case of disregarding science, wilful ignorance, bullying diversity, blatant conflicts of interest and a broken governance system that's equally wilful in its utter uselessness. #environmentallaw #ecocide Environment Centre NT Jojo Mehta Australian Earth Laws Alliance

🌱 Great news for biodiversity! The EU has passed the Nature Biodiversity Law, a crucial step in addressing the alarming decline in nature. 🐟 With over 80% of Europe's habitats in poor shape and biodiversity under threat, this law aims to restore at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea by the end of the 2030. 🌍 #NatureRestorationLaw #Biodiversity #EuropeanGreenDeal https://lnkd.in/ee7S3vae