The Avosetta Group is a small informal group of lawyers whose main purpose is to further the development of environmental law in the European Union and its Member States. "Avosetta" is the Latin name of a rare bird which caused the European Court of Justice to establish far reaching principles of European nature protection law in the German Leybucht Case.
The last 50 years have seen the creation of a remarkable body of EU environmental legislation, policy, and case-law. At the same time, environmental law faces an increasing number of challenges: conflicts with regard to the rule of law, environmental protections being questioned due to increasing economic pressure, as well as continuing degradation of the environment, just to name a few. In its latest meeting in Bremen, the Avosetta Group has undertaken to reflect upon the critical issues concerning the current EU environmental acquis. The corresponding agenda as well as a list of participants can be found here. The papers discussed at the meeting were also made into a book (see below for more information).
New Release! The Avosetta Series publishes texts that present innovative discourse on European Environmental Law. The most recent entry to this series, titled "EU Environmental Policy and Law: Reflections at Fifty", explores critical issues concerning the current EU environmental acquis. Written by 28 of today's leading European environmental law scholars, all members of the Avosetta Group, it provides rich insights on problems and solutions, based on extensive personal experience and knowledge. Find out more at Europa Law Publishing.
For opinions of the Avosetta Group please see here.