Introduction The increasing production of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere has been linked to improper waste management and high energy consumption from non-sustainable resources[1]. The urgent need to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels and a greater consciousness of the importance of a circular economy has brought the concept of waste-to-energy to the forefront. … Continued
Introduction Certain Activities Carried Out by Nicaragua in the Border (Costa Rica v. Nicaragua) case involves a dispute in which Costa Rica applied for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in order to solve it. This case concerns issues of sovereignty over a disputed territory along the San Juan River and allegations of environmental damage … Continued
Introduction Biodiversity has always been an important topic in the field of environmental protection. The diversity is vital for keeping the ecosystem in balance and humans to gain natural resources.[1] It is also closely linked to climate change. The loss of both affects each other negatively, while their preservation can be mutually reinforcing.[2] For example, … Continued
Introduction According to the European Environment Agency, air pollution is currently the most important environmental health risk factor in Europe causing in particular respiratory and cardiovascular diseases as well as premature deaths.[1] Even though the Directive on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe (hereafter: Air Quality Directive) tries to take on these issues, … Continued
Introduction The present case note analysis the judgment Case C‑626/22, a preliminary ruling referred by the District Court of Milan, to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), through three questions for interpretation of the Industrial Emissions Directive (integrated pollution and prevention control) (Directive 2010/75)[1], in light of the original dispute concerning the … Continued
I. Introduction As environmental problems become more prominent, the conservation and management of marine living organisms, such as whales, become an increasingly hot debate internationally. The Whaling in the Antarctic case[1] showcases the tensions that arise for the jurisprudence of international law concerning environmental protection and state sovereignty. The significance of this case is broad, … Continued
Introduction The Ecuadorian Constitutional Court’s Los Cedros ruling, widely regarded as one of the most significant environmental cases of the twenty-first century, exemplifies a global trend towards the protection of the rights of nature. Indeed, Los Cedros is one of the most solid and promising legal cases among the 493 (as of 1 January 2024) … Continued
I – Introdução O desenvolvimento de projetos de extração mineral em áreas ambientalmente sensíveis tem gerado debates significativos sobre os impactos ambientais e a compatibilidade com os instrumentos de gestão territorial. Este trabalho analisa o caso do projeto de ampliação da pedreira Vale de Mós A, operado pela SECIL, localizado no Parque Natural da Arrábida … Continued
INTRODUÇÃO Este estudo de caso foca-se no projeto de Melhoria das Acessibilidades Marítimas ao Porto de Setúbal, um caso bastante controverso que envolveu um debate aceso entre os diversos ‘stakeholders’. Por um lado, a aspiração pelo desenvolvimento económico da região e a criação de postos de trabalho, juntamente com a modernização e melhoria da atratividade … Continued
Introdução A escassez de água na região do Algarve é um desafio crescente, exacerbado por anos consecutivos de seca e falhas estruturais na gestão dos recursos hídricos. Perante este cenário, foram aprovadas medidas de resposta e prevenção, que incluem o lançamento do concurso público n.º2530/2024, de 16 de fevereiro, para a conceção-construção e exploração do … Continued
Introdução O conflito sub judice que dá origem ao presente acórdão da segunda secção do Tribunal de Justiça da União Europeia[1] (doravante TJUE) tem como ponto de partida um reenvio prejudicial a pedido de um tribunal dinamarquês que questionava a aplicação do Artigo 6(3) da Diretiva 92/43/EC. Estava em causa uma exploração piscícola pertencente à … Continued
Introduction The CJEU has a consistent engagement with Article 6 of the Council Directive 93/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora[1] (the Habitats Directive), as amended, highlighting its enduring importance in preserving Europe’s biodiversity. There are challenges faced by national authorities in enforcing the directive, … Continued
Reflexive environmental law (REL) facilitates exploration of how legal frameworks foster the capacity for private companies to engage in reflexivity. This reflexivity aids in avoiding entrenchment and promotes learning and self-organization to tackle intricate sustainability issues. To date, REL theory has overlooked conventional command-and-control regulations within the realm of REL, constraining its ability to comprehend … Continued
On the 19th December, our Coordinator, Professor Lucila de Almeida, along with Professor Fabrizio Esposito published an engaging article on the Yearbook of European Law, entitled “Consumers and the green transition between saying and doing: promising consumer empowerment while restricting consumers’ choices is dangerous”. The article is available online and the abstract can be read … Continued
Chapter 7 of the edited book ‘Law in the EU’s Circular Energy System: Biofuel, Biowaste and Biogas‘ was written by Piero Carlo dos Reis [1], Phillip Lugmayr, and Benjamin Gomado. Within Part II of the book, it addresses ‘Sustainable biofuels and gaseous biomass fuels from biowaste in the EU transport sector’. Read the Abstract below: … Continued