Legal Frameworks for Sustainable Development: A Comparative Analysis of International Approaches
Author : Dr. Arti Shukla, Amar Kumar Patkar and Jitendra Patel
Abstract :
Sustainable development is about finding a balance between economic growth, environmental protection, and social well-being. Legal systems around the world are increasingly used to turn sustainability goals into practical actions. Laws help set clear rules, protect rights, and hold governments and industries accountable. This paper examines how different countries use legal frameworks to support sustainable development, comparing successes, challenges, and new approaches. The United Nations’ 2030 Agenda outlines 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to guide global efforts. While widely accepted, these goals are not legally binding. Their success depends on how well countries create and enforce national laws that reflect these goals. A major step forward came in 2022 when the UN recognized the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment giving legal weight to sustainability in global discussions. This paper looks at how regions like the European Union, the United States, India, Brazil, and parts of Africa have responded. The EU has adopted strong, enforceable laws, including the European Green Deal. The U.S. relies on a mix of federal and state policies, which can shift with political changes. India includes environmental rights in its constitution and relies heavily on its courts. Brazil and African countries face more challenges in enforcement due to limited resources, but efforts are growing through national and regional policies. Innovations such as giving legal rights to nature and establishing environmental courts are becoming more common. These tools help protect ecosystems and improve access to environmental justice. Despite progress, many legal systems are still fragmented, underfunded, or not enforced consistently. This paper argues that strong, inclusive, and enforceable laws are key to achieving sustainable development, especially when supported by public participation and international cooperation.
Keywords :
SDGs, Env. Law, Legal Frameworks, Comp. Law, Sustainability, Env. Governance, Intl. Env. Law.
