“Research”

LAWS

Floren Adrian C. Cabales

IV-319

“Promotes Care For Environment”

Environmental and Natural Resources Law - US

 ABA - Environment, Energy, and Resources Section

The Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources is the premier forum for lawyers working in areas
related to environmental law, natural resources law, and energy law. The Section is committed to
providing members with opportunities to enhance professional skills, stay on top of current
developments, and dialogue in these substantive areas. Section membership will add to your
professional skill set and broaden your knowledge.
 Clean Air Act
The Clean Air Act (CAA) is the comprehensive federal law that regulates air emissions from stationary
and mobile sources. Among other things, this law authorizes EPA to establish National Ambient Air
Quality Standards (NAAQS) to protect public health and public welfare and to regulate emissions of
hazardous air pollutants.
 Clean Water Act
The Clean Water Act (CWA) establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into
the waters of the United States and regulating quality standards for surface waters. The basis of the
CWA was enacted in 1948 and was called the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, but the Act was
significantly reorganized and expanded in 1972. "Clean Water Act" became the Act's common name with
amendments in 1977.
 Energy Policy Act
The Energy Policy Act (EPA) addresses energy production in the United States, including: (1) energy
efficiency; (2) renewable energy; (3) oil and gas; (4) coal; (5) Tribal energy; (6) nuclear matters and
security; (7) vehicles and motor fuels, including ethanol; (8) hydrogen; (9) electricity; (10) energy tax
incentives; (11) hydropower and geothermal energy; and (12) climate change technology. For example,
the Act provides loan guarantees for entities that develop or use innovative technologies that avoid the
by-production of greenhouse gases. Another provision of the Act increases the amount of biofuel that
must be mixed with gasoline sold in the United States.
 Environmental Law Institute
The Environmental Law Institute provides information services, advice, publications, training courses,
seminars, research programs and policy recommendations to engage and empower environmental
 leaders the world over. ELI’s audience is leading environmental professionals in government, industry,
public interest groups and academia
 Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
NRDC is the nation's most effective environmental action organization. We use law, science and the
support of 1.3 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to
ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things.
 United States Environmental Policy - Overview
The environmental policy of the United States is federal governmental action to regulate activities that
have an environmental impact in the United States. The goal of environmental policy is to protect the
environment for future generations while interfering as little as possible with the efficiency of commerce
or the liberty of the people and to limit inequity in who is burdened with environmental costs. This policy
grew mainly out of the environmental movement in the United States in the 1960s and '70's during which
several environmental laws were passed, regulating air and water pollution and forming the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
 United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Laws and Regulations
The mission of EPA is to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment -- air, water and
land -- upon which life depends. A number of laws serve as EPA's foundation for protecting the
environment and public health. However, most laws do not have enough detail to be put into practice
right away. EPA is called a regulatory agency because Congress authorizes us to write regulations that
explain the critical details necessary to implement environmental laws. In addition, a number of
Presidential Executive Orders (EOs) play a central role in our activities.

Environmental and Natural Resources Law - International

 Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their
Disposal
The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their
Disposal is the most comprehensive global environmental agreement on hazardous and other wastes.
 Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA)
The Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) is a non-profit, public interest organization
established in 1970 to use existing laws to protect the environment and to advocate environmental law
reforms.
 Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL)
The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) is a nonprofit organization working to use
international law and institutions to protect the environment, promote human health, and ensure a just
and sustainable society.
 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) entered into force on 29 December 1993. It has 3 main
objectives: 1. The conservation of biological diversity 2. The sustainable use of the components of
biological diversity 3. The fair and e.quitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic
resources
 Environment and Security (ENVSEC) Initiative
 Peacefully resolving the overriding political, economic and social concerns of our time requires a
multifaceted approach, including mechanisms to address the links between the natural environment and
human security. UNDP, UNEP, OSCE, NATO, UNECE and REC have joined forces in the Environment
and Security (ENVSEC) Initiative to offer countries their combined pool of expertise and resources
towards that aim.
 Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (ELAW)
The Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (ELAW) gives public interest lawyers and scientists the
training and resources they need to help communities protect the environment through law.
 Environmental Law Foundation
The Environmental Law Foundation (ELF) is the national UK charity founded in 1992 that helps people
use the law to protect and improve their local environment and quality of life. Through our network of
specialist lawyers and consultants across the UK, we provide free guidance and continuing support to
those in need of assistance.
 European Commissioner for the Environment
The main role of the European Commission's Environment Directorate-General (DG) is to initiate and
define new environmental legislation and to ensure that agreed measures are put into practice in the EU
Member States.
 European Union Environmental Laws
The EU's environmental laws help protect against water, air and noise pollution and control risks related
to chemicals, biotechnology and nuclear energy within the Union. The overall direction of EU
environment policy is laid out in the latest action program--"Environment 2010: Our Future, Our Choice."
It concentrates on 4 priority areas: climate change; nature and biodiversity; environment and health; and
natural resources and waste. Also, an Environment and Health Action Plan for 2004-2010 promotes a
close relationship between health, environment and research policy.
 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
The IPCC was established to provide the decision-makers and others interested in climate change with
an objective source of information about climate change.
 Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change. The major feature of the Kyoto Protocol is that it sets binding targets for 37
industrialized countries and the European community for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
.These amount to an average of five per cent against 1990 levels over the five-year period 2008-2012.
 North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC)
Since 1994, Canada, Mexico and the United States have collaborated in protecting North America's
environment through the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC). The
NAAEC came into force at the same time as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and
marks a commitment that liberalization of trade and economic growth in North America would be
accompanied by effective cooperation and continuous improvement in the environmental protection
provided by each country.
 Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, called the Ramsar Convention, is an
intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for
the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
 United Nations Environment Programme
The mission of the UN'S Environment Programme is: To provide leadership and encourage partnership
in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their
quality of life without compromising that of future generations.

 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Over a decade ago, most countries joined an international treaty -- the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) -- to begin to consider what can be done to reduce global
warming and to cope with whatever temperature increases are inevitable. More recently, a number of
nations approved an addition to the treaty: the Kyoto Protocol, which has more powerful (and legally
binding) measures. The UNFCCC secretariat supports all institutions involved in the climate change
process, particularly the COP, the subsidiary bodies and their Bureau.
 Vienna Convention to Protect the Ozone Layer
"The Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer" is a treaty on the framework for
international cooperation concerning the protection of the ozone layer, which was adopted in 1985 and
entered into force in 1988. It provides observations, research and information exchange on the ozone
layer.

“Disallows Woman Trafficking”

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), adopted in
1979 by the UN General Assembly, is often described as an international bill of rights for women.
Consisting of a preamble and 30 articles, it defines what constitutes discrimination against women and sets
up an agenda for national action to end such discrimination.

The Convention defines discrimination against women as "...any distinction, exclusion or restriction made
on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or
exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human
rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field."

By accepting the Convention, States commit themselves to undertake a series of measures to end
discrimination against women in all forms, including:

 to incorporate the principle of equality of men and women in their legal system, abolish all
discriminatory laws and adopt appropriate ones prohibiting discrimination against women;
 to establish tribunals and other public institutions to ensure the effective protection of women
against discrimination; and
 to ensure elimination of all acts of discrimination against women by persons, organizations or
enterprises.
 Prohibits Illegal Drugs

Liquor Act licensing laws

There are many offences listed in the Liquor Act
1982, mainly relating to licensed premises
(bottle shops, hotels, clubs, and restaurants
which are licensed to sell alcohol). Here are some
of the more relevant offences.
It is illegal for an adult to:
obtain alcohol from licensed premises on
behalf of an under 18, or
to sell or supply alcohol to an under 18 year
old.

(Max. penalty $5,500. In “circumstances of

aggravation” $11,000 or 12 months jail).
However there are exceptions. It is not illegal for
an adult to supply alcohol to an under 18 year
old, away from licensed premises, if:
they are a parent or guardian of the person,
or
they were authorised by the parent or
guardian.
A person under the age of 18 years shall not:
(a) consume liquor on licensed premises
(b) consume liquor on the premises of an
unlicensed restaurant (except in the company of
and with the authority of his or her parent or
guardian)
(c) obtain, or attempt to obtain, liquor for
consumption on licensed premises
(d) carry liquor away, or attempt to carry liquor
away, from licensed premises.