The Concept of an Environmental Constitution as a Foundation for Institutionalizing Constitutional Environmental Rights and Duties

The author analyzes various approaches to implementing the concept of an environmental constitution in modern states, identifies current challenges in putting this concept into practice, and proposes indicators for its implementation and for the harmonization of environmental rights and responsibilities in the constitutions of the member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States. The study finds that in the Russian Federation the concept of an environmental constitution is beginning to take shape through the enshrinement of fundamental constitutional environmental rights and duties both in constitutional provisions and in the federal law on environmental protection. The author distinguishes between an environmental constitution and a green constitution, explaining that the former focuses on the individual as part of the environment, whereas the latter addresses the environment itself, natural resources, and environmental and biological security. In addition, the author highlights studies that directly examine issues related to the environmental constitution, as well as environmental rights and responsibilities that should be consolidated at the constitutional level.

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