Anita Boros, Gyula Koi (eds): Sustainability and Law
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4. Constitutional and legal relations to sustainability: terms, environmental constitution(alism), constitutional environment (László Vértesy)
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4.1. Constitutionalism: Content, Limits and Changes
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4.1.1. Theoretical systematisation

4.1.1. Theoretical systematisation

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A five-dimensional theoretical systematisation might trace: (i) substantive environmental rights, (ii) frameworks that are ecocentric and focus on rights of nature , (iii) procedural environmental rights, (iv) ecological responsibilities of states; and (v) intra- and inter-generational justice and the rights of future generations.

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The first major theme is the constitutional recognition of a substantive right to a healthy environment.1 This right usually is comprised of a right to a range of entitlements such as clean and safe air, drinking water, ecological harmony, and untouched natural lands and habitats; pristine wilderness areas. Most constitutional rights to a healthy environment are framed legally by either (i) an independent constitutional provision (France, Portugal, Slovenia, Finland, South Africa, Kenya), (ii) an extension of the right to life or dignity (Germany, Hungary, Austria, India, Pakistan), or (iii) a rights of nature provision (Ecuador, Bolivia).
 

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Figure 10. Typology of constitutional expression. Source: Compiled by the author
 
European Examples
Global Examples
Non-European Developed Examples
Major Absent Cases
Stand-alone constitutional right
France, Portugal, Slovenia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway
South Africa, Kenya, Tunisia
Canada (Quebec Charter), South Korea
UK, Netherlands, Ireland
Extension from life/dignity
Germany, Hungary, Austria, Czech Republic, Greece
India, Pakistan, Colombia, Nepal
USA (some state constitutions), Japan
China, Russia
Rights-of-nature clauses
Spain (Mar Menor), Italy (post-2022 reform), EU discourse
Ecuador, Bolivia, Panama, New Zealand (via statutory), Australia (state-level)
Saudi Arabia, Iran, Türkiye
 

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The function of such rights is twofold: they empower individuals and communities to claim protection from environmental harm, and they mandate state action in safeguarding environmental quality. While constitutions form the apex of legal systems, their interpretive and operational force depends on how constitutional doctrines interface with sustainability. These doctrines are not just theoretical, but they determine the direction of the law in environmental governance and resource use, and thus determine intergenerational justice.

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A bolder theme is the shift from anthropocentric to ecocentric constitutionalism, where nature is treated not simply as a resource, but as an entity with rights.2 These approaches suggest a legal ontology distinct from that of human experience, especially in post-colonial states still shaped by indigenous perspectives.

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In many constitutional democracies, the procedural guarantees that underpin environmental democracy include (i) the right to know about environmental threats; (ii) the right to participate in environmental decision-making; and (iii) the right to access justice to seek remedies for environmental issues. These rights also operationalize sustainability by providing a basis for transparency, accountability, and inclusion for environmental governance.

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A more recent trend in constitutions is to place positive ecological obligations or duties on the state to protect and manage natural resources sustainably.3 This goes beyond obligations to avoid causing harm, and requires affirmative governance. The constitutional language often provides for state obligations to (i) facilitate sustainable development; (ii) protect biodiversity; (iii) respond to climate change; and (iv) restore damaged ecosystems. In some countries, these constitutional obligations have also been used in courts to require regulatory or legislative action, making them binding obligations rather than aspirational concepts.

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Environmental constitutionalism also expands the temporal horizon of legal protection. It introduces intergenerational justice and equity as a constitutional principle, often through judicial interpretation.4 The concept asserts that the current generation has a legal and moral duty to preserve the environment for future generations. Some courts have gone further by granting standing to future generations or creating mechanisms like environmental ombudspeople to represent their interests.
1

Cima, E. (2022). ‘The right to a healthy environment: Reconceptualizing human rights in the face of climate change.’ Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, 31(1), 38-49.

Knox, J. H. (2020). ‘Constructing the human right to a healthy environment.’ Annual Review of Law and Social Science, 16(1), 79-95.

2

Hasibuan, R. H. (2024). ‘Ecocentric Theorem: Environmental Conscious Constitution.’ Administrative and Environmental Law Review, 5(1), 10-25041.

Amirante, D. (2022). ‘Environmental Constitutionalism Through the Lens of Comparative Law. New Perspectives for the Anthropocene.’ In: Amirante, D., Bagno, S. (eds.). Environmental Constitutionalism in the Anthropocene (London:Routledge). 148-167. e-Book ISBN: 9781003175308 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003175308

3

Paillé, P., & Valéau, P. (2021). ‘“I don’t owe you, but I am committed”: Does felt obligation matter on the effect of green training on employee environmental commitment?’ Organisation & Environment, 34(1), 123-144.;

Mishkov, R. (2021). ‘The Positive and Negative Obligations of the State for the Protection of Wildlife and Forest.’ Годишник на УНСС/Godišňik na UNSS [UNWE Yearbook], 2(2), 89-96.

4

Golub, A., Mahoney, M., & Harlow, J. (2013). ‘Sustainability and intergenerational equity: do past injustices matter?’Sustainability science, 8(2), 269-277.;

Puaschunder, J. (2020). Intergenerational equity. In: Puaschunder, J. Governance & Climate Justice. Global South & Developing Nations. (Cham:Palgrave MacMillan) 9-14. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-63281-0 e-Book ISBN: 978-3-319-63281-0;

Bertram, D. (2023). ‘For you will (still) be here tomorrow:’ the many lives of intergenerational equity. Transnational environmental law, 12(1), 121-149.

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