Environmental Law and Ecosystem Governance: a Comparative Study of Legal Instruments in Southeast Asia
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This study examines environmental law and ecosystem governance in Southeast Asia through a comparative analysis of legal instruments in Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam.Focusing on national environmental laws, regional agreements like the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution, and international influences such as the Rio Declaration and Paris Agreement, the research evaluates their effectiveness in addressing deforestation, pollution, and biodiversity loss.Employing a polycentric governance framework inspired by Ostrom (2010), the study assesses legal effectiveness, implementation challenges, and adaptability to ecological dynamics.Findings reveal Vietnam's success in reforestation and biodiversity conservation, Thailand's progress in urban pollution control, and Indonesia's struggles with deforestation due to weak enforcement.Regional and international frameworks provide critical guidance but lack binding enforcement, while national laws face gaps in adaptability and stakeholder engagement.The study underscores the need for robust enforcement, adaptive legal mechanisms, and enhanced regional cooperation to achieve sustainable environmental governance in Southeast Asia.
DOI: 10.31407/ijees15.305
Authors: Tang Thi Thu Trang, Nguyen Van Dai, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Linh, Le Hai Yen, Hanoi People’s Court, Vietnam;
Institution: Vinh University
Language: English
Subfield: Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4413164493