The Developments in Iranian Environmental Law in Light of International Law Norms and Imami Jurisprudence

Abstract

Undoubtedly, one of the most significant challenges facing all nations globally is the issue of environmental protection, which has been under relentless attack over the past half-century. In pursuit of comfort and prosperity, humanity has inflicted severe damage on the elements of nature and life, with Iran's environment being no exception. Examples include unauthorized well-digging and groundwater extraction, illegal and unlicensed hunting, the use of chemical pesticides in agriculture, littering in public spaces, and the increased use of fossil fuels in vehicles. These issues have raised concerns among experts in international law, public law, and environmental law. Efforts are underway to address these challenges by adopting new international legal norms and modern environmental protection techniques such as aerial monitoring with drones and satellites, thermal scanning, and enacting laws informed by the successful experiences of other nations. The research question addresses the impact of international law and Imami jurisprudence on the evolution of Iranian environmental law. The research method employed is descriptive-analytical. The findings demonstrate that reliance on effective frameworks of international law has contributed to standardizing environmental law criteria in Iran while leveraging the principles of Imami jurisprudence to strengthen and transform Iranian environmental law.