The renewed constitutional level of environmental law in Hungary

Abstract

Environmental law is encroaching into the legal system, because it orders the following of the imperative principle of integration, according to which it is necessary to build environmental considerations and priorities into all norms, plans and activities using or affecting the environment. The highest level of national environmental legislation is the Fundamental Law of Hungary (25 April 2011), which also has new environmentally relevant provisions, which are worth analysingas they serve to protect the natural foundations of life. This assured defence of the interest of future generations stems from the human right to a healthy environment, which is linked to the respect of human dignity and life. This human right belongs to the third generation, the solidarity or collective-developmental group of rights. The Fundamental Law also comprises several subfields of environmental law by mentioning their protected subjects and emphasizing their importance.