Prevention of trans-boundary environmental impact: legal framework and challenges of implementation

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Cover of Volume: KAS African Law Study Library Volume 8 (2021), Edition 3
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KAS African Law Study Library

Volume 8 (2021), Edition 3

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Nomos, Baden-Baden
Copyright year
2021
ISSN-Online
2363-6262
ISSN-Print
2363-6262

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Volume 8 (2021), Edition 3

Prevention of trans-boundary environmental impact: legal framework and challenges of implementation

Authors:
ISSN-Print
2363-6262
ISSN-Online
2363-6262
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Trans-boundary environmental impact occurs where development projects in one country or state have extra-territorial effect on neighbouring state and this aspect of environmental law falls squarely within the purview of international environmental law. This paper examines the prevention of trans-boundary environmental impact, legal framework and challenges of implementation in Nigeria and generally. The paper adopts a doctrinal approach. The paper discusses trans-boundary environmental impact and its origin in Nigeria. The paper notes that the first trans-boundary environmental impact in Nigeria happened in 1988 and prior to that there was no substantive environmental legislation in place. The paper evaluates the existing domestic and international legal frameworks and discovers that the substantive domestic law in Nigeria, lacks the necessary impetus to address environmental impact of a trans-boundary nature. The paper further finds that the international framework are not complemented by strong, substantive international law. Some of these treaties are married by vague language and weak enforcement mechanisms. The paper notes that there are several challenges preventing implementation of trans-boundary EIA and includes cost of trans-boundary EIA, limited access to document in the affected areas and unwillingness of the public to participate with an activity in another state. The paper recommends that the existing legal frameworks both at the national and international fora should be supported by strong substantive laws to enable implementation and concludes that the challenges can be overcome by specifying the parameters for determining the significance of effects, encourage public participation and dispute resolution mechanisms. Key Words: Environment, Assessment, Impact, Prevention, Challenges, Implementation

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