THE ROLE OF THE JUDICIARY IN COMBATING CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Rad obrađuje ugroženost mora, globalno zatopljenje i pritiske onečišćivačkih korporacija, s posebnim naglaskom na zaštitu morskog okoliša. Razmatraju se postignuća Međunarodnog panela o klimatskim promjenama, primjena načela predostrožnosti, kao i uloga sudova i javnog interesa. Sudska vlast može djelovati dugoročnije od izabranih predstavnika izvršne vlasti i ima dostatno vrijeme za promišljanje šire od izbornog ciklusa u demokratskim društvima. Ističe se potreba da se europske države pozivaju na sudsku klimatsku praksu i standard savjesnog postupanja, uz oživotvorenje načela predostrožnosti i univerzalnih načela ljudskih prava. Autori iznose mišljenje da proaktivna uloga pravosuđa može u bitnome doprinijeti zaštiti okoliša, moguće i značajnije od pojedinačne nacionalne, regionalne ili međunarodne predstavničke i izvršne vlasti.The paper deals with the vulnerability of the sea, global warming and the pressures of corporate polluters, with particular emphasis on the protection of marine environment. Analysed are the achievements of the International Panel on Climate Change, the application of precautionary principle, as well as the role of courts and public interest. The judicial authority may act over a longer term than the elected representatives of the executive, as a sufficient time period for deliberation that goes beyond the electoral cycle in democratic societies is guaranteed. Pointed out is the need for the European states to refer to court the climate-related practice and the standard of conscientious treatment, along with the implementation of the precautionary principle and the universal human rights principles. The authors bring forward the opinion that an active role of the judiciary may essentially contribute to environmental protection, possibly more significantly than that of an individual national, regional or international representative and judiciary authority