Environmental protection is a practice of protecting the natural environment on

individual, organization controlled on governmental levels, for the benefit of both

the environment and humans. Due to the pressures of overconsumption, population
and technology, the biophysical environment is being degraded, sometimes
permanently. This has been recognized, and governments have begun placing
restraints on activities that cause environmental degradation.

Approaches with regards to environmental protection

Voluntary environmental agreements

In industrial countries, voluntary environmental agreements often provide a
platform for companies to be recognized for moving beyond the minimum
regulatory standards and thus support the development of best environmental
practice. For instance, in India, Environment Improvement Trust (EIT) has been
working for environment & forest protection since 1998. In developing countries,
such as throughout Latin America, these agreements are more commonly used to
remedy significant levels of non-compliance with mandatory regulation.[2] The
challenges that exist with these agreements lie in establishing baseline data, targets,
monitoring and reporting.
Ecosystems approach[edit]
An ecosystems approach to resource management and environmental protection
aims to consider the complex interrelationships of an entire ecosystem in decision
making rather than simply responding to specific issues and challenges. Ideally the
decision-making processes under such an approach would be a collaborative
approach to planning and decision making that involves a broad range of
stakeholders across all relevant governmental departments, as well as
representatives of industry, environmental groups and community. This approach
ideally supports a better exchange of information, development of conflict-
resolution strategies and improved regional conservation.
International environmental agreements

Many of the earth's resources are especially vulnerable because they are influenced
by human impacts across many countries. As a result of this, many attempts are
made by countries to develop agreements that are signed by multiple governments
to prevent damage or manage the impacts of human activity on natural resources.
This can include agreements that impact factors such as climate, oceans, rivers and
air pollution. These international environmental agreements are sometimes legally
binding documents that have legal implications when they are not followed and, at
other times, are more agreements in principle or are for use as codes of conduct.
These agreements have a long history with some multinational agreements being in
place from as early as 1910 in Europe, America and Africa.

Environmental policy is the commitment of an organization to the laws,

regulations, and other policy mechanisms concerning environmental issues. These
issues generally include air and water pollution, waste management, ecosystem
management, maintenance of biodiversity, the protection of natural
resources, wildlife and endangered species.
Policies concerning energy or regulation of toxic
substances including pesticides and many types of industrial waste. This policy can
be deliberately taken to direct and oversee human activities and thereby prevent
harmful effects on the biophysical environment and natural resources, as well as to
make sure that changes in the environment do not have harmful effects on humans.
It is useful to consider that environmental policy comprises two major
terms: environment and policy. Environment refers to the physical ecosystems, but
can also take into consideration the social dimension (quality of life, health) and an
economic dimension (resource management, biodiversity). Policy can be defined
as a "course of action or principle adopted or proposed by a government, party,
business or individual".[4] Thus, environmental policy focuses on problems arising
from human impact on the environment, which retroacts onto human society by
having a (negative) impact on human values such as good health or the 'clean and
green' environment.
Environmental issues generally addressed by environmental policy include (but are
not limited to) air and water pollution, waste
management, ecosystem management,biodiversity protection, the protection
of natural resources, wildlife and endangered species, and the preservation of these
natural resources for future generations. Relatively recently, environmental policy
has also attended to the communication of environmental is0sues.
Enviromental legislation:

The awareness and consideration for environment covers several environmental issues such as
pollution of water, air and soil, land degradation, industrialization, urbanization, depletion of
natural resources etc. Environmental Law plays a very crucial and important role in regulating
the use of natural resources and in protecting the environment. The success of environmental
legislations mainly depends on the way they are enforced. Legislation also serves as a valuable
tool for educating masses about their responsibility in maintaining healthy environment.
Numerous legislations have already been put forth at national and international levels. In this
lesson, you will learn about some important environmental legislations. Indian legislations are
called Acts where as the international legislations are in the form of conventions, protocols and
treaties.