Sustainable Development Law in the UK: From Rhetoric to Reality?

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Sustainable development is now widely accepted as a political objective in the UK and elsewhere but to what extent has the UK’s rhetoric on sustainable development become a reality? The aim of this book is to critically examine the UK’s approach to promoting and delivering sustainable development. It begins by providing a detailed account of UK law on sustainable development by reviewing the... Read more

Sustainable development is now widely accepted as a political objective in the UK and elsewhere but to what extent has the UK’s rhetoric on sustainable development become a reality? The aim of this book is to critically examine the UK’s approach to promoting and delivering sustainable development. It begins by providing a detailed account of UK law on sustainable development by reviewing the various policy, institutional and legal mechanisms used by the UK since the 1980s and by devolved administrations since devolution took effect in 1999. Progress has been slow, too slow and, according to the scientists, time is running out. To deal with this lack of progress, the book advocates increasing the status of ecological sustainability and sustainable development through the introduction of a wide range of legal mechanisms which would compel the change needed.

The book calls for ecological sustainability, or respecting the Earth’s environmental limits, to be afforded the status of legal principle and argues that with ecological sustainability at its normative core, sustainable development could provide an effective framework for decision making and governance. It argues that to support this approach and ensure consistency, the time has come for sustainable development to receive explicit legal backing. Over and above its symbolic and educational value, legislation can impose mandatory rules on policymakers and decision makers, often with meaningful consequences both inside and outside the courtroom. To this end, the book contributes to the theory on sustainable development governance by suggesting three possible legislative approaches for such intervention. The volume concludes that while a lack of leadership on sustainable development may hinder the introduction of these innovations, once introduced, these innovations would equally provide much needed support for effective leadership towards a sustainable future.

Andrea Ross is a Reader in the School of Law at the University of Dundee and has taught and researched in the areas of public and environmental law for over 18 years. Before becoming an academic she qualified as a Barrister and Solicitor in Ontario, Canada.

An Earthscan from Routledge book.

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Part 1: Turning Rhetoric into Reality 1. Introduction 2. The Emergence of ‘sustainable development’ and ‘sustainable development law’ in the UK 3. Criteria for Effective Implementation of Sustainable Development Part 2: The Reality of Sustainable Development in the UK 4. A Common Understanding – Strategies 5. Clear Commitment and Leadership 6. Stakeholder Involvement and Efficient Knowledge Management 7. Mechanisms – Institutional and Policy Integration 8. Mechanisms – The Role of Legislation 9. Mechanisms – Sustainable Development Indicators 10. Mechanisms – Reporting, Review, Monitoring and Accountability 11. ‘Shows Promise But Must Try Harder’ – Taking Stock of Implementation in the UK Part 3: A New Reality – the Way Forward 12. Time to Get Serious – Ecological Sustainability 13. Compelling Action – The Case for Legislation 14. Moving from Rhetoric to Reality

Author(s)

Biography

Andrea Ross is a Reader in the School of Law at the University of Dundee and has taught and researched in the areas of public and environmental law for over 18 years. Before becoming an academic she qualified as a Barrister and Solicitor in Ontario, Canada.

Sustainable Development Law in the UK From Rhetoric to Reality?

Description

Table of Contents

Author(s)

Biography

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