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Robinson Township: A Model For Environmental Constitutionalism, Erin Daly, James May
Robinson Township: A Model For Environmental Constitutionalism, Erin Daly, James May
Erin Daly
In Robinson Township v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a plurality of the court held that a controversial law encouraging fracking (“Act 13”) violates the state’s constitutional Environmental Rights Amendment, the provisions of which the court held are “on par” with political rights. The decision highlights the challenges of engaging constitutional environmental provisions but demonstrates that, with sufficient creativity and commitment, meeting these challenges lies well within the bounds of judicial capability and authority. Because courts around the world are increasingly being asked to engage in environmental constitutionalism, and Robinson Township's thorough examination of the issues is instructive, not only for cases …
Ten Good Practices In Environmental Constitutionalism: Structure, Text And Justiciability, James May, Erin Daly
Ten Good Practices In Environmental Constitutionalism: Structure, Text And Justiciability, James May, Erin Daly
Erin Daly
Environmental constitutionalism is a relatively recent phenomenon at the confluence of constitutional law, international law, human rights, and environmental law. It embodies the recognition that the environment is a proper subject for protection in constitutional texts and for vindication by constitutional courts worldwide. This White Paper posits ten “good practices” – those attributes that make effective outcomes more likely, but not assured – in environmental constitutionalism for advancing positive environmental outcomes considering energy, and governance and sustainability. Good practices in environmental constitutionalism can serve as a useful construct for considering the relationship between sustainability, energy and governance. Accordingly, Section A …