ABSTRACTThis article aims to develop a methodological proposal for the application of the proportionality test as a conflict resolution mechanism in the new environmental damage declaration procedure in Ecuador, based on the systematization of theoretical conceptions and legal and administrative procedures, and constitutional principles that regulate economic activities with criteria of environmental sustainability, and the recognition of the rights of nature. Consequently, the research allowed us to extract the main results: (a) to conceive proportionality as a methodological criterion and legal construction; (b) the proportionality test becomes a mechanism at the service of the judge that seeks to provide solutions to adequately resolve conflicts, subject to the principles that govern the rights of nature and economic activities, directly established in the Constitution; and, (c) the proportionality test can be a tool for the motivation of administrative resolutions of declaration of environmental damage, as it will be useful to determine: 1) whether a fact can be considered environmental damage, 2) the amount of the fine imposed, 3) the minimum measures to approve remediation or environmental reparation plan, and 4) the amount of compensation to the victims of the environmental damage. Because of these results, it can be concluded that the normative vacuum in this matter lends itself to the discretion and arbitrary interpretation of the authority, justifying, therefore, the present methodological proposal of the proportionality test for the declaration of environmental damage.
KEYWORDS: Environmental legislation, resources, environmental law, sustainable development, energy resources.
RESUMENEste artículo tiene como objetivo desarrollar una propuesta metodológica para la aplicación de la prueba de proporcionalidad como mecanismo de resolución de conflictos en el nuevo procedimiento de declaración de daños ambientales en Ecuador, a partir de la sistematización de concepciones teóricas y procedimientos legales y administrativos, y principios constitucionales que regulan actividades económicas con criterios de sostenibilidad ambiental y reconocimiento de los derechos de la naturaleza. En consecuencia, la investigación permitió extraer los principales resultados: (a) concebir la proporcionalidad como criterio metodológico y construcción jurídica; (b) la prueba de proporcionalidad se convierte en un mecanismo al servicio del juez que busca brindar soluciones para resolver adecuadamente los conflictos, sujeto a los principios que rigen los derechos de la naturaleza y las actividades económicas, directamente establecidos en la Constitución; y, (c) la prueba de proporcionalidad puede ser una herramienta para la motivación de resoluciones administrativas de declaración de daño ambiental, ya que será útil para determinar: 1) si un hecho puede ser considerado daño ambiental, 2) el monto de la multa impuesto, 3) las medidas mínimas para aprobar el plan de remediación o reparación ambiental, y 4) el monto de la indemnización a las víctimas del daño ambiental. De estos resultados se puede concluir que el vacío normativo en esta materia se presta a la discrecionalidad y arbitrariedad de la interpretación de la autoridad, justificando, por tanto, la presente propuesta metodológica de la prueba de proporcionalidad para la declaración de daño ambiental.
CÓDIGO JEL: F18, O13
The objective of this research is to develop a methodological proposal for the application of the proportionality test as a conflict resolution mechanism in the new perspective of the declaration of environmental damage in Ecuador, based on the systematization of the principles, theoretical conceptions and legal procedures and administrative that regulate economic activities with criteria of environmental remediation and ecosystem sustainability. Consequently, the research allowed to extract the main results: (a) Conceiving proportionality as a methodological criterion and legal construction; (b) the proportionality test becomes a mechanism at the service of the judge that seeks to provide solutions to adequately resolve conflicts, subject to the principles that govern the rights of nature and economic activities, directly established in the Constitution ; and, c) The proportionality test can be a motivational tool for administrative decisions declaring environmental damage, as it will be useful to determine: 1) if an event can be considered environmental damage, 2) the amount of the fine imposed, 3) the minimum measures to approve an environmental remediation or repair plan, and 4) the amount of compensation to victims of environmental damage. Given these results, it can be concluded that the regulatory void of this matter lends itself to the discretion and arbitrary interpretation of the authority, thus justifying the present methodological proposal of the proportionality test of the declaration of environmental damage.
JEL CODE: F18, O13