Global Approaches to Site Contamination Law

This extensive review of international, regional, bilateral and national laws on site contamination includes case studies illustrating the causes, prevalence and impacts of this major ecological issue, as well as assessing the prospects for tackling it.

The book describes the complex and variable laws addressing site contamination, reviewing existing international, regional and national law of relevance to site contamination. It also offers detailed case studies of national approaches to the issue, and goes on to explore avenues for promoting the development of comprehensive domestic laws on site contamination, with a focus on the role of international law and actors. A detailed discussion analyzes such variations as a binding international legal instrument, a non-binding instrument, and a model framework for site contamination management. The text includes recommendations regarding the key elements needed for regulating site contamination at the national level. The author also offers an appropriate and feasible timetable for international action to promote better national law and policy regarding contaminated sites.

Contents. - 1. Introduction. - 2. The Nature and Extent of Site Contamination. - 3. Current International Law Relating To Site Contamination. - 4. National Site Contamination Law. - 5. Responsibility for Site Contamination. - 6. Promoting National Site Contamination Law: The Challenge of Harmonisation. - 7. An International Response to Site Contamination. - 8. Alternatives to International Law Other Means of Promoting National Site Contamination Law. - 9. Recommended Features of a Model Law on Site Contamination. - 10. Conclusions and Recommendations.