**Environmental Law Notes - Page 2**

1. **International Agreements and Treaties:**

- **Paris Agreement:** An international accord adopted in 2015 under the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Its goal is to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees
Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

- **Montreal Protocol:** An international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out
the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances.

- **Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD):** A treaty aiming to conserve biodiversity, promote

sustainable use of biological resources, and ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from
genetic resources.

2. **Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA):**

- **EIA Purpose:** A process to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of a proposed project
before it is approved or implemented.

- **Components:** EIA typically includes screening, scoping, assessment, mitigation, monitoring, and
public consultation phases.

- **Legal Mandates:** Many countries require EIA for certain projects to ensure sustainable
development and minimize negative impacts.

3. **Water Law:**

- **Riparian Rights:** Legal rights and responsibilities of landowners adjacent to a water body,
ensuring reasonable use of water without harming others.

- **Prior Appropriation Doctrine:** Water allocation based on "first in time, first in right" principle,
common in arid regions.

- **Clean Water Act (CWA):** U.S. legislation regulating water pollution and quality, aiming to restore
and maintain the integrity of waters.

4. **Air Quality Regulation:**

- **Clean Air Act:** U.S. law addressing air pollution, setting National Ambient Air Quality Standards
(NAAQS) and regulating emissions from industries and vehicles.

- **Cap and Trade:** Market-based approach where emission permits are allocated and can be traded
to achieve overall emission reduction targets.
5. **Waste Management:**

- **Waste Hierarchy:** A prioritized approach to waste management - reduce, reuse, recycle, recover,
dispose.

- **Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR):** Manufacturers are held responsible for the entire
lifecycle of their products, including disposal.

- **Hazardous Waste Regulation:** Strict controls on the generation, transportation, and disposal of
hazardous waste to protect human health and the environment.

6. **Protected Areas and Biodiversity:**

- **National Parks:** Designated areas for conservation, recreation, and education, often safeguarding
unique ecosystems.

- **Endangered Species Act:** U.S. law to protect species at risk of extinction, prohibiting harm and
trade of listed species.

- **Sustainable Use:** Some conservation strategies allow controlled use of natural resources to
support local livelihoods and ecosystem health.

7. **Environmental Justice:**

- **Fair Distribution:** Ensuring that environmental benefits and burdens are equally shared among all
communities, regardless of race or income.

- **Disproportionate Impact:** Addressing the tendency for marginalized communities to bear a

higher burden of environmental pollution and hazards.

Remember, these notes are a brief overview of key concepts in environmental law. Laws can vary widely
between jurisdictions, so always refer to specific legal texts and expert guidance for comprehensive
understanding and up-to-date information.