4. Conclusion

While environmental regulation has evolved from a "patchwork law" to an autonomous body of legislation with its own code and fundamental principles, it is nonetheless weakened by the profusion of rapidly evolving texts and procedures.

This observation was central to the concerns of the Environmental Conference held on September 14 and 15, 2012. At the end of this conference, five working themes were identified, including the modernization of environmental law. Without lowering standards, the aim is to simplify environmental rules and procedures, making them clearer and more proportionate to the issues at stake.

The actions to be taken have been grouped around three axes: the choice and development of legal rules; the application of procedures to project implementation; and the monitoring, sanctioning and remediation of environmental damage....