Balancing Act: Jordan's Environmental Protection

Jordan's Environmental Laws: Can They Save the Kingdom?

Reese Marlowe in Climate & Environment August 2025 • 4 min read.

"A deep dive into the Hashemite Kingdom's legal framework for environmental protection and how it stacks up against modern challenges."

In an era defined by climate change and environmental degradation, nations worldwide are grappling with the critical need to safeguard their natural resources. Jordan, a country known for its rich history and breathtaking landscapes, faces unique environmental challenges that demand effective and adaptive legal solutions.

This article delves into the legal framework that governs environmental protection in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, examining the strengths and weaknesses of its Environmental Protection Law No. 52 of 2006. We'll explore how this law, along with other related legislations, addresses pressing issues such as pollution, resource depletion, and the sustainable development of the nation.

By analyzing the current state of environmental law in Jordan, we aim to shed light on the obstacles and opportunities that lie ahead in the quest to preserve the Kingdom's natural heritage for future generations.

How Does Jordan Define and Approach Environmental Protection?

Balancing Act: Jordan's Environmental Protection

Jordan's Environmental Protection Law No. 52 of 2006 defines 'environment' broadly as the surroundings that include living and non-living beings, matter, and all components in terms of air, water, and earth, including the interaction thereof and things erected by Man. This definition sets the stage for a comprehensive approach to environmental management.

The law defines 'environmental protection' as the protection and improvement of environmental components, preventing deterioration or pollution, and reducing pollution to safe thresholds. This encompasses air, water, soil, natural beings, and resources. The Jordanian government is keen on using its natural resources rationally, prolonging the use of non-renewable resources, achieving economic development, sustaining a healthy natural balance, and ensuring pollution prevention.

Tackling Pollution: Pollution, whether natural or human-induced, poses a major threat. The law aims to address both, recognizing the danger to ecosystems and human lives.
Resource Depletion: Jordan faces severe environmental deterioration due to overexploitation of renewable and non-renewable resources, urban encroachment, and diminishing agricultural land.
Intentional Damage: The law addresses intentional damage to the environment, setting penalties for acts that intentionally harm the environment or its components.

The Environmental Protection Law No. 52 for the year 2006 uses various terminologies to describe harmful effects resulting in environmental damage, and illegitimate prohibited acts by law to refrain persons and entities from inflicting damage to the environment. It also sets fines and penalties for violators. For example, paragraph (a) of Article 9 punishes with imprisonment for a period of not less than one year and not exceeding three years or a fine of not less than ten thousand Jordanian dinars (1 JD is equivalent to $US 1.40) or both penalties for the captain of the ship or tanker or boat that has thrown or poured from any of them contaminated substances in the territorial waters of the Kingdom or beach area.

Final Thoughts: Strengthening Jordan's Environmental Safeguards

Jordan's environmental laws provide a foundation for protecting its natural resources, but challenges remain. Overlapping jurisdictions, conflicting legal provisions, and inadequate penalties can hinder effective enforcement. Addressing these issues through legal reforms, enhanced judicial expertise, and increased public awareness is crucial to ensuring a sustainable future for the Kingdom. Ultimately, the responsibility lies with citizens, communities, and the government to work together to protect Jordan's environment for generations to come.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

What is the primary legislation governing environmental protection in Jordan, and what are its key objectives?

The primary legislation governing environmental protection in Jordan is the Environmental Protection Law No. 52 of 2006. Its key objectives, as outlined in the law, encompass several critical areas. These include the protection and improvement of environmental components, preventing environmental deterioration and pollution, and reducing pollution levels to safe thresholds. The law also emphasizes the rational use of natural resources, the extension of the lifespan of non-renewable resources, and the promotion of sustainable economic development while maintaining a healthy natural balance. Furthermore, the law addresses the issue of intentional damage to the environment and sets penalties for such actions.

How does the Environmental Protection Law No. 52 of 2006 define 'environment' and 'environmental protection'?

The Environmental Protection Law No. 52 of 2006 defines 'environment' broadly as the surroundings, including living and non-living beings, matter, and all components in terms of air, water, and earth, including their interactions and human-made structures. 'Environmental protection,' according to the law, is the protection and improvement of these environmental components, preventing any form of deterioration or pollution, and reducing pollution to safe thresholds. This includes the protection of air, water, soil, natural beings, and resources within Jordan.

What are some of the significant environmental challenges that the Environmental Protection Law No. 52 of 2006 aims to address in Jordan?

The Environmental Protection Law No. 52 of 2006 aims to tackle several significant environmental challenges in Jordan. These include pollution, whether natural or human-induced, resource depletion due to overexploitation of both renewable and non-renewable resources, urban encroachment, and the diminishing of agricultural land. The law also addresses the issue of intentional damage to the environment, setting penalties for actions that intentionally harm environmental components.

What specific actions are considered illegal under the Environmental Protection Law No. 52 of 2006, and what are the penalties for violations?

The Environmental Protection Law No. 52 of 2006 prohibits actions that inflict damage to the environment. For example, paragraph (a) of Article 9 specifies that the captain of a ship, tanker, or boat who throws or pours contaminated substances into Jordanian territorial waters or beach areas can face imprisonment for a period of not less than one year and not exceeding three years, or a fine of at least ten thousand Jordanian dinars (equivalent to $US 1.40), or both penalties. This demonstrates the law's intent to deter environmentally harmful activities through stringent consequences.

What are some of the obstacles to effective environmental protection in Jordan, and what measures are needed to overcome them?

While Jordan's environmental laws, particularly the Environmental Protection Law No. 52 of 2006, provide a foundation for protecting natural resources, several obstacles hinder their effectiveness. These include overlapping jurisdictions, conflicting legal provisions, and potentially inadequate penalties for violations. To overcome these challenges, legal reforms are needed to clarify jurisdictions and harmonize laws. Enhancing judicial expertise in environmental law, and increasing public awareness about environmental issues, are also crucial for ensuring a sustainable future for the Kingdom. Ultimately, a collaborative effort involving citizens, communities, and the government is essential for effectively protecting Jordan's environment.