INTRODUCTION
The Oxford Dictionary defines artificial intelligence as the capacity of computers or other machines to exhibit or simulate intelligent behaviour. Artificial intelligence or AI is arguably the biggest discovery of the 21st century. However, to contrary belief, AI had shown early signs from the year 1950 when Claude Shannon built a system called ‘Theseus’, where a remote-controlled mouse could find its way out of a labyrinth and remember its course. AI has come a long way since then; whether people would agree or not, it is a fact that AI is so intertwined with all of our lives that living in a world without AI will seem impossible. AI has certainly made life easier in several aspects and has also given rise to a whole new set of problems and difficulties. The impact of AI largely depends on how it is utilized. One important area of life where AI’s potential can be employed better is environmental management and the enforcement of environmental laws.
Environmental management is a systematic approach to understanding, managing, and mitigating the ecological impacts of human activities. It involves planning, evaluating, implementing, and monitoring practices aimed at improving environmental quality and promoting sustainable development. India has a comprehensive set of environmental laws to address issues related to pollution control, environment preservation, and sustainable management. The objective of these laws is to preserve the environment in which we live and contribute to improving the quality of life for current and future generations.
ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS IN INDIA
India has a comprehensive set of environmental laws that address issues related to the environment. These laws and legislations aim to mitigate the adverse effects on the environment by setting regulations, standards, and penalties. Environment-related provisions are disseminated through different legislations in India such as the Provisions in the Constitution, Article 48A, and Article 51A(g), The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, The Energy Conservation Act, 2001, Biological Diversity Act, 2002, Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.
These laws are part of the various environmental legislations that govern ecological regulations in our country. Collectively, these laws aim to preserve, enhance, protect, nurture, and rehabilitate the environment to ensure the stability of the foundation of all lives. The need for these laws arises from biodiversity protection, industrialization, climate change, human rights, and global commitments to name a few. India’s legal framework is broad and well-structured, addressing multiple dimensions of environmental protection. However, its adequacy is a subject of ongoing debate.
The strengths of the Indian legal framework include constitutional provisions, embedding environmental protection as a directive principle and fundamental duty the constitutional significance is highlighted. There is a comprehensive coverage of different rules and regulations, there are specialized tribunals established to provide a platform for effective and expedited resolution of environmental disputes. The Indian regulations also align with the global standards. On the other hand, there is also a huge enforcement gap despite comprehensive laws, overlapping jurisdiction, lack of public awareness, and ever-evolving threats that hold back the country from making significant progress.
AI IN ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT
AI with its current growth trajectory has immense potential to revolutionize environmental management by enhancing efficiency, employing cost-effective and time-effective techniques, and reducing errors. The application of artificial intelligence in environmental management will promote sustainable development, resource optimization, and energy efficiency.
Some examples of AI embedded in environmental management include:
- Monitoring and Data Analytics: AI helps analyze the data received from monitoring devices such as satellites to monitor environmental changes. It also helps in real-time monitoring and analyses of air and water quality.
- Sustainable Resource Management: AI contributes to developing energy optimization-centric strategies, which helps adapt energy efficiency techniques. It is also helpful in water management when predictive AI monitoring systems are employed that track distribution networks and optimize the use of water.
- Circular Economy: AI contributes to the optimum utilization of a product by conducting an accurate life cycle assessment, which allows the growth of a circular economy at a higher right.
These are a few examples of how integrating AI into environmental management can improve management in all aspects. Environmental laws and regulations are vital to ensure that the environment is managed correctly and is heading on the right path for growth and development. Integrating AI with environmental laws can help enhance environmental governance and will allow the legal, ethical, and societal challenges to be addressed faster. Let us take a deeper look at the applications and challenges of integrating AI and environmental laws.
APPLICATIONS
Applications of AI can benefit a lot of sectors. In real-time monitoring and compliance, AI systems can detect violations of rules and regulations like breaches or illegal activities. AI will also help forecast environmental disasters, notify the authorities, and will also help assess the impact of man-made projects to make sure they comply with the legal mandates. This will help improve the predictive analysis faster. AI can enhance environmental reports by analyzing the data and comparing it with major environmental laws like the Paris Agreement, Kyoto Protocol, or the Euro Norms. It will help make the legal processes easier and more efficient by helping draft legal documents, doing research, etc. AI integration will help and encourage public participation as access to justice will become more accessible.
CHALLENGES
The framework regarding AI in environmental laws is still undefined and ambiguous, therefore when issues relating to AI arise, they will be unresolved. Extensive use of AI is bound to collect, analyze, and monitor huge sets of data, which may lead to privacy concerns and could raise ethical issues. To fully accept AI integration in environmental laws, AI models must be transparent and accountable for their actions. Implementing and monitoring AI models can be expensive and not feasible for developing and underdeveloped countries, which means that the advantages of using AI will not be accessible to these countries.
CASE STUDIES
In some parts of the world, AI has already been successfully integrated with Environmental regulations and is being used to make the world a better place. One example of this is smart cities and their environmental law compliance. AI monitors evaluates, and holds the violators accountable to ensure smoothness in the smart cities. Platforms like Global Forest Watch use AI to monitor deforestation and alert regulators about violations. Another example would be the use of AI to help understand patterns in climate litigation which enables lawyers to craft stronger arguments.
CONCLUSION
The integration of artificial intelligence and environmental management and law is becoming more vital for addressing some of the most pressing ecological issues of our times. AI will enhance and elevate environmental management and compliance by helping in monitoring changes, streamlining processes, and enforcing compliance. However, along with the benefits of AI, string along the set of challenges that are yet to be resolved. To fully harness the potential of AI, it is important to first find a way of mitigating these challenges. By addressing these challenges, AI will pave a path of wholesome development of environment management and environmental laws which will lead us to a sustainable future and a healthier planet.
Author(s) Name: Anjana Nair (NMIMS Kirit P. Mehta School of Law, Mumbai)
