3. Conclusion

As evidenced by the evolution of texts and case law, industrial environmental law is constantly evolving. Its founding and fundamental principles have been progressively formalized, and are now informing the development of texts and practices in other fields too. As the law has evolved, increasingly precise and technical standards have been developed. This phenomenon is not without a certain contradiction, since the movement towards legal and technical densification is now accompanied by a desire to simplify environmental law.

This evolution is also reflected in the changing economic approach to environmental law. While the focus continues to be on resolving past situations, particularly historical pollution, new opportunities are emerging to ensure that environmental protection, in the broadest sense of the term, is perceived as an asset rather than a constraint...