Sustainability Constitutionalism

13 Pages Posted: 31 Mar 2018

See all articles by James R. May

James R. May

Washburn University - Washburn University School of Law; Widener University Delaware Law School; Haub School of Law at Pace University

Date Written: March 26, 2018

Abstract

While sustainability in international and domestic legal orders has been well chronicled, this paper aims to do something original, which is to survey and contextualize the extent to which nations recognize sustainability in their constitutions, and the difference it has made in courts around the globe, called ‘sustainability constitutionalism.’ It concludes that while the constitutions of many nations incorporate sustainability, jurists and advocates have been slow to promote it as a proper legal outcome instead of merely a silent guiding principle.

This article has three parts. Part I provides a brief synopsis of sustainability as a legal concept. Part II then surveys how and the extent to which national constitutions incorporate sustainability, including those that advance public trust, and the interests of future generations. Part III regards judicial receptivity to sustainability constitutionalism, noting that it has yet to make much headway in courts. The article concludes that sustainability constitutionalism is under-valued and under-evaluated, and holds potential for further study and significance.

Keywords: sustainability, constitutional law, constitutionalism, environmental law, constitutions

JEL Classification: K32

Suggested Citation

May, James, Sustainability Constitutionalism (March 26, 2018). University of Missouri-Kansas City Law Review, Vol. 86, 2018, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3149930

James May (Contact Author)

Washburn University - Washburn University School of Law ( email )

1700 SW College Ave.
Topeka, KS 66621
United States

Widener University Delaware Law School ( email )

4601 Concord Pike
Wilmington, DE 19803-0406
United States

Haub School of Law at Pace University ( email )

78 N. Broadway
White Plains, NY 10603
United States

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