Volume 3
Environmental Law - General Part
An Introduction

Meyerholt

Law Seminar of the Carl von Ossietzky University Environmental law is currently (2000) in a phase of upheaval. Preparatory work on a comprehensive codification of environmental law (Environmental Code ⇔ UGB) has stalled, but the need for action is increasing. The UGB project has been underway for several years, but appears to be lagging behind due to the complexity of our legal system and the widespread reluctance to make far-reaching structural changes to the law. This is where general environmental law could come into its own, because although the subject matter of general environmental law has not been codified as a whole, there is broad agreement on its content.
Knowledge of general environmental law is therefore indispensable for understanding environmental law. Principles and instruments - i.e. the core area of general environmental law - already play a role in day-to-day politics. In addition, the close connection between environmental law, environmental policy and environmental economics becomes clear, as a change of instruments - due to a change in environmental policy or findings in environmental economics - is quite possible in order to achieve environmental protection goals more efficiently. Environmental law is not a self-contained area of law, but transcends conventional boundaries, so that the content cannot be described in a consistent and concise manner.

To the overview