ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION: THE 21st CENTURY CHALLENGEAn appreciation by Phillip Taylor MBE and Elizabeth Taylor of Richmond Green ChambersAs editors of this wide-ranging and insightful volume, Professor John McEldowney and Sharron McEldowney have compiled an important collection of essays and leaned articles gleaned mainly from a selection of influential and authoritative academic journals from both sides of the Atlantic and worldwide as well.Published recently by Edward Elgar, the primary focus of the book is on environmental regulation in the United Kingdom, as it compares with other jurisdictions, particularly the United States and within the European Union.As the editors explain, the papers chosen for inclusion in this volume contain a variety of themes and analyses that shed light on the differences (and similarities) that emerge internationally within the sphere of environmental regulation.Legal and procedural principles are covered, as well as the range of economic, social and political influences that may-- or may not -- affect the enactment, not to mention the enforcement of environmental regulation, especially in areas where there is a marked conflict between protecting the environment and the desire for economic growth. Part I of the book, for instance, offers a carefully considered examination of the inter-relationship between environmental regulation, sustainable development and climate change.The book sets out seven further sections which deal variously with such important areas as policy and governance… new technologies and economic development… and human rights.The final section discusses ‘the twenty-first century challenge’ thereby making an interesting contribution to the debate on how the scholarship of environmental law might advance to meet future needs.A point that is often stressed is that environmental regulation must be accountable, not to mention enforceable. Neither of these aims is easy to achieve in a world where the most of the environmental pollution of late is produced not so much by the industrialised nations, as by countries in a far less advanced stage of economic development.As part of the Elgar Research Collection, this is definitely a book for academics and scholars as well as environmental lawyers who will appreciate its comparative law orientation and emphasis. Also to be appreciated by researchers is the copious footnoting throughout, which contains a wealth of reference sources. In all, the book is a valuable and richly resourced contribution to the literature of environmental law.The publication date is cited as at 2014.