<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>This article deals with the emerging concept of “sustainability”, that, according to the empirical research presented here, is mentioned in the text of 67 constitutions, very often in relation to the environment or with the rights of future generations. As the vast majority of those references consist in very general substantive provisions, needing legislative or judicial implementation, the article deals with the challenges brought by “aspirational constitutions” and with the role of the courts in their enforcement. Finally, I maintains that, in order to achieve the effectiveness, constitutions should include procedural provisions aimed at integrating sustainability instances (throughout specialized bodies) into the legislative process.</p>
</abstract>

This article deals with the emerging concept of “sustainability”, that, according to the empirical research presented here, is mentioned in the text of 67 constitutions, very often in relation to the environment or with the rights of future generations. As the vast majority of those references consist in very general substantive provisions, needing legislative or judicial implementation, the article deals with the challenges brought by “aspirational constitutions” and with the role of the courts in their enforcement. Finally, I maintains that, in order to achieve the effectiveness, constitutions should include procedural provisions aimed at integrating sustainability instances (throughout specialized bodies) into the legislative process.

Sustainability and Constitutions: Constitutional Law and the Dilemma of the Future

Professor of Public Law at the Department of Business and Law of the University of Siena

Wroclaw Review of Law, Administration & Economics

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

This article deals with the emerging concept of “sustainability”, that, according to the empirical research presented here, is mentioned in the text of 67...

Sustainability and Constitutions: Constitutional Law and the Dilemma of the Future

Published Online: Feb 22, 2024

Page range: -

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/wrlae-2022-0022

Keywords
Sustainability, constitutional law, environment, future generations, climate change

© 2023 Tania Groppi, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Sustainability and Constitutions: Constitutional Law and the Dilemma of the Future

Published Online: Feb 22, 2024

Page range: -

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/wrlae-2022-0022

KeywordsSustainability, constitutional law, environment, future generations, climate change

© 2023 Tania Groppi, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords
Sustainability, constitutional law, environment, future generations, climate change