McGrath, Chris --- "The role played by policy objectives in environmental law" [2016] ELECD 1376; in Fisher, Douglas (ed), "Research Handbook on Fundamental Concepts of Environmental Law" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2016) 369

Book Title: Research Handbook on Fundamental Concepts of Environmental Law

Editor(s): Fisher, Douglas

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781784714642

Section: Chapter 14

Section Title: The role played by policy objectives in environmental law

Author(s): McGrath, Chris

Number of pages: 22

Abstract/Description:

Statements of objectives are widely used in international treaties and national legislation and they perform multiple roles. One role is as a communication and public relations tool. Simple, clear and qualitative objectives such as ‘protecting clean air’ communicate to the general public the broad outcome that is intended to be achieved, thereby building public and political support. A second role is as an aid to interpreting treaties and statutes, although this role should not be overstated. A third role is to provide criteria for success in program review as part of the policy cycle. This chapter explores these roles using sustainable development and climate change as two examples of objectives in practice.