New Delhi, September 20: Supreme Court Justice BV Nagarathna and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta on Sunday called for stronger environmental laws, effective institutions and greater cooperation across jurisdictions to address climate change, biodiversity loss and other growing ecological challenges.
Addressing the valedictory session of the National Green Tribunal’s international conference on“The Future of Environment and Climate Dynamics”, Justice Nagarathna said environmental law must go beyond dealing with violations that have already occurred and also respond to emerging risks, scientific uncertainty and potentially irreversible ecological damage.
She said the Supreme Court has made significant contributions to the development of environmental jurisprudence and is increasingly advocating a shift from an anthropocentric to an ecocentric approach, recognising that human interests should not automatically take precedence over those of the non-human world.
Justice Nagarathna also stressed the need for environmental governance to address the unequal impact of ecological degradation on communities, regions and generations. She highlighted key principles of environmental jurisprudence, including sustainable development, the polluter pays principle, absolute liability, the precautionary principle, the public trust doctrine and intergenerational equity.
She noted that climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss, land degradation and water scarcity transcend territorial boundaries, making cooperation among jurisdictions, knowledge-sharing and equitable responsibility-sharing essential.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said environmental challenges can no longer be addressed by a single institution or discipline and require the combined efforts of law, governance, science, economics and society.
He described climate change as a present reality affecting air, water, forests, biodiversity, cities and agriculture, and said environmental law has evolved into a broader framework encompassing life, dignity, equality and responsibility towards future generations.
Mehta called for a balance between environmental protection and development, backed by scientific assessment, technological innovation and sustainable development practices.
Referring to Articles 48A and 51A(g) of the Constitution, he said India’s commitment to environmental protection is embedded in its constitutional framework.
He also called for stronger institutions, sustainable and liveable cities, green infrastructure and responsible energy solutions. He stressed that courts, tribunals, governments, legislatures, scientists, experts and citizens must work together to translate environmental commitments into effective action and implementation.
