Ecological Code: Integration of Theory and Practice

Abstract

Environmental protection has become a global priority, requiring systematic legal responses to ensure sustainability and ecological safety. Uzbekistan, in line with its national development strategy and legal reforms, has initiated the development of a comprehensive Ecological Code to consolidate fragmented environmental laws into a unified regulatory framework. Despite having over 30 environmental laws and more than 450 regulatory acts, there exists no single codified legal document that holistically governs environmental relations, leading to inconsistency, legal uncertainty, and enforcement difficulties. This article aims to analyze the theoretical necessity and practical potential of codifying Uzbekistan’s environmental law through an Ecological Code, drawing comparisons with international practices and assessing the legal and institutional implications. The study identifies the core challenges in current legislation, such as declarative norms, sectoral fragmentation, and weak enforcement mechanisms. It presents a structured concept for the Ecological Code that includes general, special, and separate parts addressing rights, environmental responsibilities, and sector-specific regulations. The research proposes a two-stage reform model tailored to the Uzbek legal context, emphasizing the integration of sectoral laws and the eventual adoption of a unified Ecological Code that aligns with international legal standards. The implementation of the proposed code is expected to improve environmental governance, reinforce citizens’ constitutional rights to a healthy environment, and ensure the rational use of natural resources across generations.