The Legal Framework Governing the Contribution of Artificial Intelligence to Environmental Sustainability: Foundations and Challenges – A Comprehensive Legal-Technical Approach and a Comparative Study

Abstract

This research examines the legal framework regulating the contribution of artificial intelligence to environmental sustainability through a comparative analytical approach that explores the legislative foundations and regulatory challenges associated with deploying this technology in support of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those with an environmental dimension within the framework of the United Nations 2030 Agenda. The study proceeds from the premise that artificial intelligence, despite its growing capacity to enhance the efficiency of natural resource management, improve environmental monitoring, predict climate risks, and support the green economy, simultaneously raises complex legal issues relating to liability, data governance, privacy protection, intergenerational equity, and the adequacy of traditional legislative frameworks to accommodate its transformative developments. 

The research adopts a comparative analytical methodology by examining relevant United Nations principles, the recommendations of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. It further analyzes comparative regulatory models, most notably the European Union Artificial Intelligence Act (EU AI Act), related European environmental legislation, the United States National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and recent U.S. legislative initiatives concerning the environmental impact of artificial intelligence. The study is also grounded in the principles of international environmental law, foremost among them the “polluter pays” principle and the principle of intergenerational equity. 

The research concludes that the environmental value of artificial intelligence is not realized automatically; rather, it depends on the existence of an integrated legal governance framework that balances the promotion of technological innovation with the regulation of its environmental and social risks. It further highlights that the absence of a unified international framework governing the environmental impact of artificial intelligence results in regulatory fragmentation and limits the effectiveness of international cooperation in addressing climate challenges. The study recommends the development of clear rules for environmental accountability concerning damages arising from artificial intelligence applications, the integration of environmental impact assessments throughout the lifecycle of intelligent systems, and the strengthening of international coordination to establish unified standards for the governance of this technology within the context of sustainability.