Justice and equity in regulating environmental quality are components of?

The concept of justice and equity in regulating environmental quality aligns closely with stewardship, which emphasizes the responsibility of individuals and organizations to manage and protect the natural environment for future generations. Stewardship goes beyond mere resource management; it includes ethical considerations that ensure all communities have access to a clean and healthy environment. This perspective requires that regulations and policies actively promote fairness and justice, addressing the needs and rights of marginalized and vulnerable populations who may be disproportionately affected by environmental issues.

In contrast, natural law refers to a system of law based on a moral code considered to be inherent in human nature and not dependent on statutes. It's more philosophical and does not specifically address environmental quality or fairness in regulation. Ecosystem goods and services are the benefits that humans derive from ecosystems, and while they are important for understanding environmental value, they do not inherently focus on justice or equity in regulations. Sound science pertains to the use of scientifically validated information in decision-making processes but does not encompass the ethical dimensions of environmental regulation related to fairness and justice. Therefore, stewardship is the most relevant framework for discussing justice and equity in the context of environmental quality regulation.