Strengthening Legal Frameworks for Nature Conservation and Environmental Protection in Slovakia: A Path Towards Sustainable Development

Marek Novak; Jana Kovacikova

doi:10.69725/plice.v1i1.122

Authors

Marek Novak Department of Environmental Law, Faculty of Law, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia
Jana Kovacikova Institute of Environmental Policy, Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic, Bratislava, Slovakia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69725/plice.v1i1.122

Keywords:

Legal frameworks, nature conservation, Environmental protection, Slovakia, Sustainable development

Abstract

The study provided for this article focuses on the legal framework of nature conservation and environmental protection in Slovakia, analyzes its effectiveness with regard to sustainable development. This involves the analysis of qualitative and quantitative data, combined with qualitative data to measure enforcement of environmental laws and international obligations. It combines a qualitative content analysis of legal documents, policy papers and international agreements with quantitative performance indicators in the form of biodiversity metrics, deforestation rates and water quality. The findings show policy-practice gaps are substantial, with the greatest difference seen on enforcement and compliance processes. While legislation making progress, the non-protected areas show issues as implementation is often lacking. The research draws attention to the requirements for a legal framework that is not only more comprehensive and sophisticated in its mandate towards governance responses, but that can also be continually adapted to respond once environmental complexity dictates changes. These results present specific recommendations and practices for amending domestic environmental laws in Slovakia, as well as strategies aimed at the establishment of stakeholder partnership to better enhancement the sustainability pursuit. More research is needed such as how can local communities be leveraged to assist with sustainable environmental practices both policies and how potential policy reforms would affect the indigenous community.

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Author Biographies

Marek Novak, Department of Environmental Law, Faculty of Law, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia

Marek Novak., P.hD

Department of Environmental Law, Faculty of Law, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia
Jana Kovacikova, Institute of Environmental Policy, Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic, Bratislava, Slovakia

Jana Kovacikova., P.hD

Institute of Environmental Policy, Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic, Bratislava, Slovakia

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