To quote Lord Hope (in Walton (Appellant) v The Scottish Ministers (Respondent) (Scotland) [2012] UKSC 44, para 152.), environmental law proceeds on the basis that,

… the quality of the natural environment is of legitimate concern to everyone.

Environmental laws and policies are of importance to all. They set the rules and provide the direction needed to promote a healthy environment, human wellbeing and a sustainable economy (although not always successfully).