Outline provisions of Estonian environmental law are included in:
- Estonian Constitution;
- Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Act (forced 01.05.2002);
- Environmental Supervision Act (forced 07.07.2001);
- Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management System Act (forced 03.04.2005);
- Pollution Charge Act (forced 21.03.1999);
- Nature Conservation Act (forced 01.05.2004).
The Estonian Constitution enacts that natural wealth and resources are national riches and shall be used in a sustainable manner. Everyone has a duty to preserve the environment and to compensate for damage caused by him or her. Sustainable Development Act enacts principles of national strategies based on principles authorized on Rio de Janeiro Conference (1992).
Estonian environmental law is dynamic and variable. International environmental standards are transformed into Estonian legal order, environmental legislation is often duplicated.
Often the environmental legislation is in a form of the government and minister regulations.
Estonia has entered into main international environmental conventions and bilateral environmental agreements. Estonia has acceded with following conventions Arhus (1998), Espoo (1991), Helsinki (1992), Kyoto protocol (1997), Geneva (1979), Vienna (1985), Washington (1973), Rio de Janeiro (1992) etc.
The Environmental Inspectorate, Land Board and local government bodies exercise environmental supervision in Estonia. Environmental Inspectorate has authority to impose an administrative liability for violation environmental laws and standards.
Additional information
Ministry of Environmental Affairs: http://www.envir.ee
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