LEGAL INNOVATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE UNITED STATES AND UZBEKISTAN
Abstract
This paper explores the evolving role of environmental law in addressing climate change, with a comparative lens on legal innovation in the United States and Uzbekistan. As climate pressures increase, governments worldwide face the challenge of adapting their legal systems to promote both environmental protection and sustainable development. The U.S. experience demonstrates a decentralized, multi-level legal response, marked by public participation, state-led experimentation, and legal accountability. Uzbekistan, a Central Asian republic undergoing legal transformation, has made significant strides in adopting green energy reforms and environmental legislation. While its approach remains more centralized, emerging legal frameworks signal potential for more inclusive and adaptive governance. This paper examines key areas of innovation, including energy law, public participation, and climate adaptation, to highlight how legal structures shape the pathways available to states confronting the climate crisis. The aim is not to criticize but to reflect on how different models offer distinct lessons for legal development in a warming world.
References
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