ABSTRACT
In analysing systems developed at international level for the purpose of enhancing enforcement of international environmental obligations, it is useful to take stock of the unique features of the European Union's (EU) supranational legal order. From its inception, the EU has provided for a distinctively robust centralised supranational institutional role in law enforcement. The Union charges two of its institutions with responsibility to ensure the proper application of EU rules, namely the European Commission and Court of Justice of the EU. The EU's system of supervising implementation of its environmental protection norms is considerably more assertive than the relatively soft manner of multilateral environmental agreement engagement in law enforcement issues generally experienced at international level and is therefore worthy of particular scrutiny. The EU has adopted legislation to guarantee individual rights regarding access to environmental information, public participation in environmental decision-making, and with respect to the enforcement of EU environmental law.
