DETERMINATION OF THE ROLE OF ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT IN THE SYSTEM OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAW

Abstract

The article examines the role of environmental audit as a key element in the system of environmental law and justifies its importance as an effective legal instrument in the field of environmental protection. Taking into account modern environmental challenges, in particular climate change, depletion of natural resources and increasing levels of environmental pollution, environmental audit is considered as an important mechanism for ensuring environmental safety and sustainable development. The article examines the determination of the place of environmental audit in the system of legal regulation of environmental protection activities and the assessment of its potential in ensuring the effective implementation of the state's environmental policy.The current legislation of Ukraine, international regulations and the practice of EU countries in the field of environmental audit are analyzed. Particular attention is paid to scientific approaches to understanding the essence of environmental audit, its relationship with environmental management institutions.The article presents a comprehensive approach to the analysis of environmental audit as an element of the economic and legal mechanism of environmental protection. Directions for improving legislation are proposed, in particular, harmonization of national norms with international standards and consolidation of the institute of environmental audit in the future Environmental Code of Ukraine.The introduction of environmental audit as a mandatory component of economic activity can be a guarantee of systemic environmental control and compliance with the principles of sustainable nature management.It is concluded that the integration of environmental audit into the general system of legal regulation will increase the efficiency of environmental control, promote transparency of the activities of business entities and direct state environmental policy to ensure sustainable development in the face of modern global challenges.