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Dynamics in environmental legislation

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  • Stef, Nicolae
  • Ashta, Arvind

Abstract

We analyze environmental laws and regulations enacted by 125 countries from 1990 to 2021. An examination of the legislation dynamics yields four principal observations. First, countries with a higher degree of development tend to enact more environmental legislation than less developed countries. Second, parliamentary systems are associated with a higher number of environmental regulations compared to presidential systems. Third, legal origin seems to be related to legislation dynamics. Systems of English legal origin generate less new environmental legislation than any other legal family. Fourth, our estimates point out that ruling parties have strong incentives to slow down the dynamics of environmental laws and regulations one year prior to the legislative elections. However, high levels of government effectiveness seem to favor the modernization of environmental legislation in developed countries and parliamentary systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Stef, Nicolae & Ashta, Arvind, 2023. "Dynamics in environmental legislation," International Review of Law and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:irlaec:v:76:y:2023:i:c:s0144818823000480
    DOI: 10.1016/j.irle.2023.106170
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Climate change; Law; Regulation; Development; Legal origins; Political system;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • K10 - Law and Economics - - Basic Areas of Law - - - General (Constitutional Law)
    • O11 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • P48 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Other Economic Systems - - - Legal Institutions; Property Rights; Natural Resources; Energy; Environment; Regional Studies

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