Sources of Environmental Law: Master the Foundations of Environmental Law

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of common law, a judge-made source of law?

Accepted Answer

It is created through legislation by elected representatives

Answer

It is based on judicial precedent

Answer

It is flexible and adaptable

Answer

It provides a consistent approach to environmental issues

Question 2

The Environmental Protection Act 1990 is an example of which type of national legislation source?

Accepted Answer

Primary legislation, enacted directly by Parliament

Answer

Secondary legislation, made by government ministers under powers delegated by primary legislation

Answer

Case law, created by judges in specific cases

Answer

International treaty, ratified by the UK government

Question 3

The Aarhus Convention is an example of which type of international environmental law instrument?

Accepted Answer

A legally binding international treaty

Answer

A non-binding declaration

Answer

A national environmental policy

Answer

A case law precedent

Question 4

Which notable case in the UK contributed to the development of environmental common law?

Accepted Answer

Rylands v Fletcher, establishing liability for causing foreseeable harm, even in the absence of negligence

Answer

Donoghue v Stevenson, establishing the duty of care owed by manufacturers to consumers

Answer

Mabo v Queensland, recognizing the native title rights of Indigenous Australians to their traditional lands

Answer

Brown v Board of Education, ending racial segregation in US schools

Question 5

The Paris Agreement on climate change is what type of international instrument?

Accepted Answer

A legally binding international treaty, requiring state parties to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Answer

A non-binding declaration, expressing political commitments but not creating legal obligations

Answer

An EU directive, imposing specific obligations on EU member states

Answer

A UK statute, enacted by the UK Parliament

Question 6

Which of the following is not a legal mechanism for enforcing environmental laws?

Accepted Answer

Legislative drafting

Answer

Administrative measures

Answer

Civil actions

Answer

Criminal prosecutions

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a binding source of international environmental law?

Accepted Answer

National legislation

Answer

International environmental treaties

Answer

Soft law instruments

Answer

Customary international law

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a key EU environmental protection principle?

Accepted Answer

Principle of Free movement of goods

Answer

Precautionary principle

Answer

Polluter pays principle

Answer

Intergenerational equity principle

Question 9

Which step in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process involves defining the scope and scale of the assessment?

Accepted Answer

Scoping

Answer

Screening

Answer

Assessment

Answer

Mitigation

Question 10

Which international organization is responsible for organizing global efforts to address climate change?

Accepted Answer

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Answer

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Answer

World Bank

Answer

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Question 11

In which situations can the precautionary principle be applied to decision-making?

Accepted Answer

When there is scientific uncertainty about environmental risks

Answer

When there is scientific certainty about environmental risks

Answer

When there is no scientific evidence about environmental risks

Answer

When there is no environmental risk at all

Question 12

The polluter pays principle is a key principle of environmental law that means:

Accepted Answer

Polluters should bear the costs of their pollution

Answer

Polluters should not be held liable for their pollution

Answer

The government should pay for the cleanup of pollution

Answer

Pollution is a necessary evil that cannot be avoided

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a source of international environmental law?

Accepted Answer

National case law

Answer

Treaties

Answer

Customary law

Answer

General principles of law

Question 14

The Convention on Biological Diversity is an example of a:

Accepted Answer

Multilateral treaty

Answer

Framework agreement

Answer

Bilateral agreement

Answer

Protocol

Question 15

In the United Kingdom, which statute is the primary legislation for environmental protection?

Accepted Answer

Environmental Protection Act 1990

Answer

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Answer

Water Resources Act 1991

Answer

Town and Country Planning Act 1990

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of a soft law instrument in environmental law?

Accepted Answer

The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development

Answer

The Kyoto Protocol

Answer

The Paris Agreement

Answer

The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants

Question 17

Which of the following is not a recognized source of international environmental law?

Accepted Answer

National legislation of individual countries

Answer

Treaties

Answer

Customary law

Answer

General principles of law

Question 18

The European Union's environmental directives are an example of:

Accepted Answer

Legislation that is directly binding on member states

Answer

Non-binding recommendations that member states are encouraged to implement

Answer

Soft law that provides guidance but is not legally enforceable

Answer

International customary law that is binding on all states

Question 19

The Aarhus Convention is a landmark treaty that:

Accepted Answer

Promotes public participation in environmental decision-making and access to environmental information.

Answer

Establishes global environmental standards for air and water quality.

Answer

Creates a fund for environmental protection and sustainable development.

Answer

Bans the use of certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides.

Question 20

Which of the following is not considered a source of international environmental law?

Accepted Answer

National legislation

Answer

Treaties

Answer

Customary international law

Question 21

The Environmental Protection Act 1990 is an example of what type of source of environmental law in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

National legislation

Answer

International treaty

Answer

Common law

Answer

EU Directive

Question 22

Which of the following common law principles has been applied to protect the environment?

Accepted Answer

The precautionary principle

Answer

The doctrine of stare decisis

Answer

The rule against perpetuities

Question 23

Typically, how do international environmental treaties become binding on the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

Through government ratification and parliamentary approval

Answer

Through judicial interpretation

Answer

Through automatic incorporation into domestic law

Question 24

Which of the following is a key characteristic of EU environmental law?

Accepted Answer

Its direct applicability in member states

Answer

Its exclusive focus on pollution control

Answer

Its optional nature for member states

Answer

Its enforcement by the European Court of Human Rights

Question 25

In what way can soft law instruments, such as declarations and guidelines, influence environmental law?

Accepted Answer

By shaping the development of binding legal instruments

Answer

By being directly enforceable in all jurisdictions

Answer

By having no legal effect whatsoever

Question 26

How does the polluter pays principle contribute to the development of environmental law?

Accepted Answer

By incentivizing polluters to reduce emissions

Answer

By having no impact on environmental law

Answer

By prohibiting states from imposing environmental taxes

Answer

By giving polluters the right to compensation from pollution victims

Question 27

How can technology enhance the effectiveness of environmental law?

Accepted Answer

By facilitating compliance monitoring and violation detection

Answer

By creating new environmental laws

Answer

By educating the public on environmental issues

Answer

By providing interpretations of complex legal texts