TRACK II- Law, Policy and Enforcement Challenges in Environmental Regime

(a) Environmental legislations and policy issues in developing countries.

ANJALI PALA
Environmental Engineer at
Watair Envisol Consultancy, LLP, Ahmedabad.
Pursuing Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Law and Policy
[Email ID : ap2427@gmail.com]

ABSTRACT

It is now widely recognized that the planet is facing a range of environmental challenges, which
can only be addressed through international co-operation. To address this issue, 21st century has
witnessed an exponential increase in multilateral environmental agreements covering a wide
range of issues such as ozone depletion, climate change, loss of biodiversity, toxic and hazardous
products and wastes, pollution of rivers and depletion of freshwater resources.Based on
successes of the Millennium Development Goals, the United Nations Development Agency
(UNDP) has built the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), otherwise known as the Global
Goals, as a universal call to take action towards poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring that
all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
These 17 Goals build including new areas such as climate change, economic inequality,
innovation, sustainable consumption, peace and justice, among other priorities. The goals are
interconnected – often the key to success on one will involve tackling issues more commonly
associated with another. So, for developed as well as developing countries under sustainable
development, the precautionary principle or approach and the polluter form an integral element
of the essential toolkit for formation of various laws and policy.But in the developing countries
where economy plays an important role in uplifting the growth of the country, complete
implementation of environmental laws and policies is a challenge. The governmental conflict
between immediate profit and investment towards sustainable technologies is one of the
challenges in enforcement of environmental laws. To find a proper balance between economic
growth and environmental sustainability is must. And to achieve, it requires the partnership of
governments, private sector, civil society and citizens alike to make sure we leave a better planet
for future generations. Eradication of existing evils and implementation of law in existence is
something to be the primary concern of all.

Keywords : Policy, legislative implementation, ozone issues and UNDP agencies.