What is environmental law? - EDO NSW

What is environmental law?

Environmental law seeks to manage human impacts on the environment


Introduction to environmental law

In NSW there are over 40 laws that relate to the environment. While laws are designed to ensure the protection of the environment, others are designed to control human use of natural resources by setting up a system of environmental approvals.


What are the functions of environmental law?

This page lists some key functions of environmental law.


What are the sources of environmental law?

The two sources of law in Australia are legislation (law made by Parliament) and common law (judge-made law, or case law).


What is ecologically sustainable development?



Legal Information Access Centre

For assistance with legal research, consider contacting the Legal Information Access Centre (LIAC). LIAC is a specialist information service run by the State Library of NSW and is free for NSW residents.


For more information about LIAC, see How do I Gather Information?.




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