The Rights of Future Generations and its institutionalization in Hungary
We borrow the Earth from future generations – this concept is widely accepted. It is a moral obligation, which might somehow be translated into legal language. But how it should be expressed? Shall we compose a set of rights of future generations or articulate duties for the current generations? Which one is better of what is even more important, which one is more practical? Who is taking care either for the rights or for the duties? The first part of the puzzle is how to formulate them, what should belong to the scope of these rights or duties – from precaution to public participation. The idea of having a guardian for future generations is on the current agenda of the UN.
The second part is the practice: exactly 15 years ago the office of the ombudsman for future generations has been established in Hungary, at that time an individual position. Later it has been converted into a deputy position – deputy of the commissioner of fundamental rights, still ombudsman for future generations. Consequently, we could demonstrate how the idea of a guardian (ombudsperson) for future generations might work, serving as an example how to come closer to a practical implementation of the idea.
Speaker
Professor (also Jean Monnet professor) of environmental law at the Pázmány Péter Catholic University (see: ), author of more then 300 publications in this field. Ombudsman for future generations of Hungary for the term 2017-2023, reelected by the Parliament for a next round (2023-2029)
Lecture Series
This lecture is part of the Environmental Law Lecture Series: Strengthening EU Environmental Law, Legal Perspectives on Greening Europe series. This series provides a set of important insights from environmental law scholars on how EU environmental law helps to achieve the aim of a high level of environmental protection in the European Union and across the world.
With the European Green Deal from 11 December 2019 the European Commission tabled an ambitious legislative program, based on fundamental aims such as zero pollution, do no harm, and climate neutrality. Many legal developments took place and are still on-going, both at the European and national regulatory levels as in the courtroom, including the national courts. While efforts to protect the environment are direly needed, including effective implementation and enforcement, the regulatory acquis, and the flow of case law, has become utterly complex which poses challenges for acquiring a good understanding and application.
This freely accessible online (and hybrid) lecture series provides students and scholars with core insights in the state of affairs and further improvement of EU environmental law. The lecture series will run in 2023 and 2024. All lectures will be recorded and will be made accessible through YouTube.