Global environmental constitutionalism

Abstract

This article supports the perspective that environmental constitutionalism is a global and foundational subject. Considering the novelty and thin base of this only emerging field of inquiry, it aims for making some suggestions for formulating the purpose and scope of environmental constitutionalism in a global range. Moreover, considering that the very nature of environmental rights is more fundamental than classic human rights, the mindset and methodology applied to the studies of constitutionalism all over the world must change its basis from anthropocentrism to an ecocentrism, by incorporating sustainability as a constitutional principle. In this way, the first steps towards a global environmental constitutionalism are being taken in the last few years. But the subject is still challenging.

Keywords

• global environmental constitutionalism
• principle of sustainability
• ecocentrism