Courts and the Environment

The IUCN Academy of Environmental Law series

Edited by Christina Voigt, Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Oslo, Norway and Zen Makuch, Director, Sustainable Transitions, Imperial College London, UK and Barrister

This discerning book examines the challenges, opportunities and solutions for courts adjudicating on environmental cases. It offers a critical analysis of the practice and judgments of courts from various representative and influential jurisdictions.

‘This book is a survival tool for judges who are increasingly required to respond to legal action meant to protect the earth from the existential threat to human civilization posed by global warming. Christina Voigt and Zen Makuch have assembled authors who affirm that there is no greater force to protect Earth and its habitants than the environmental rule of law.’
– Michael D. Wilson, Hawaii Supreme Court, US

‘From pioneers to latecomers, the role of Courts in relation to environmental protection has oscillated in ways that make their overall contribution difficult to assess. This book is a significant addition to the mapping and stock-taking effort. It shows that, in practice, Courts are indeed playing a very important role in adapting legal systems to the need to conserve the environment.’
– Jorge E. Viñuales, University of Cambridge, UK