INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION AND THE NEW PARADIGM OF SUSTAINABILITY

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the legal framework for environmental protection and its fundamental principles. The study examines the impact of human activities on ecosystems, the importance of biodiversity conservation, and the legal mechanisms for the sustainable use of natural resources. Additionally, transformations in environmental legislation at both global and national levels as of 2026 are analyzed. In particular, a comparative analysis is conducted of the implementation of the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), and modern approaches reflected in the practices of the United States and Europe. The findings demonstrate that the contemporary model of environmental policy is shifting from purely restrictive measures toward a system based on economic incentives and advanced monitoring technologies.