Bouhabel, Fayssal

This study addresses the preventive nature of environmental legislation in Algeria, as one of the modern foundations for environmental protection. It examines the preventive legal principles established by the Algerian legislator, particularly in Law No. 03-10 on the protection of the environment within the framework of sustainable development, all of which aim to prevent environmental harm before it occurs. The study shows that Algerian environmental law has been influenced by international sources and seeks to keep pace with global developments in the field of environmental protection. However, the implementation of this preventive approach faces several challenges — some legislative, such as the multiplicity of texts and the weak binding force of legal provisions; and others practical, including the lack of environmental awareness, the decline of environmental citizenship, the limited role of civil society, and weak institutional coordination. The study concludes that overcoming these challenges requires legislative and institutional reform to strengthen the effectiveness of the preventive system and to establish prevention as a fundamental tool for ensuring environmental protection and achieving sustainable development.