Environmental security as an international legal category

Abstract

Problem setting. The problem of environmental security has gone beyond national borders and acquired a planetary character. If before the issue of ensuring the environmental security of countries was solely their internal affair, over time, state borders from an environmental point of view gradually lost their importance, became transparent. Analysis of recent researches and publications. The study of theoretical or some practical aspects of the legal nature of environmental safety were engaged in domestic and foreign scientists, among which are the works of: A.P. Hetman, H.V. Anisimova, G.I. Balyuk, S.A. Bogolyubova, M.M. Brinchuk, I.I. Karakash, T.G. Kovalchuk, V.V. Kostytsky and others. Target of research is to determine the essence and features of environmental safety as a legal category in terms of international law. Article’s main body. The article examines the definition of «environmental security» as a legal category. Its legal nature and its connection to international security are being established. In particular, environmental security as a legal category is considered from two points of view, as a certain state of protection of a person from threats caused by an thropogenic impact on natural objects, and as a system of legal instruments regulating the use of natural resources for their protection, as well as prevention and counteraction to threats that have a detrimental effect on the environment. Through the analysis of international legal acts, modern approaches of the international community to ensuring environmental security are determined. The international mechanism for environmental security is constantly evolving, it should be recognized that it is unfortunately not perfect and is not able to fully solve today's environmental problems, as well as to prevent an environmental catastrophe on a global scale. By concluding international agreements alone, it is impossible to ensure effective protection of all elements of the natural environment. Conclusions and prospects for the development. Therefore, it is important to consolidate the efforts of all participants in international communication in developing common approaches to solving this problem and actively using numerous international treaties and soft law instruments, best national practices, and involving civil society.