1973 iucn yearbook

The US National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) :
A tool capable of use by other nations
This project covers an analysis of this US law with emphasis on the use
of impact statements in dealing with environmental problems in the US
and the way in which this technique could be adopted by other nations.
NEPA requires that basic policy decisions be made only after an
extensive body of environmental factors and inputs have been made
available, weighed, and accommodated in some "least harms" calculus
by the decision maker. The process opens up the decision making process
to a wide range of affected interest groups. A report has been drafted
suggesting ways in which NEPA may be adapted for use by other
nations with similar needs.
The concept of private property in relation to land-use planning
and control
This project aims to outline the very strict land-use controls in the
Federal Republic of Germany and to compare these with the techniques
of control in the USA.
Comparing the "environmental awareness" and action in the United
States and in Europe, one could conclude that the US is well ahead of
European nations in this field. In one area, however, Europe has a clear
lead and that is in land-use controls.
In the US, whoever owns land usually controls its use. In Europe,
however, it has been accepted that a whole range of controls could be
imposed on private property without affecting ownership or requiring
compensation. This has permitted the concept of property to emerge
with a better balance between private and public interest. The German
land-use controls, largely drawing on the concept of social obligation
of property, are a useful example of what such an evolution can achieve.
A comparative study of environmental legislation :
common principles for a general law of the environment
This project will analyze environmental legislation of approximately
20 different countries to derive common principles and approaches
applicable to a general law on the environment. This could lead to
agreement on more difficult aspects of international environmental
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