Combining social and environmental law in the context of sustainable development: Problems of legal balance

The aim of the study was to examine the regulatory challenges arising from the social and environmental obligations of the modern state. The study used a range of research methods, including analysis of international legal acts, comparative legal analysis of the legislation of the EU, the USA and Ukraine, and qualitative methods of information processing. The results of the study confirmed that the concept of environmental security is gradually being integrated into the international legal framework, reflecting the growing awareness of the global community of the interconnection between the state of the environment and international peace and security. The analysis of national legislation revealed a diversity of approaches to the implementation of environmental security, with developed countries exhibiting more comprehensive legislative frameworks. In the case of Ukraine, despite the formal prioritisation of environmental security in national law, significant challenges remain in the actual implementation of environmental legislation. These challenges include weak enforcement mechanisms, institutional fragmentation, and insufficient integration of environmental priorities into broader regulatory and governance structures. Based on the findings, a set of practical recommendations has been developed to enhance the effectiveness of Ukraineʼs environmental security policy in the short and medium term. These include improvements in law enforcement, environmental monitoring, public awareness, and the harmonisation of national legislation with EU standards. In addition, the study identified regulatory tensions between environmental and social obligations, particularly within the context of Ukraineʼs green transition. The closure of industrial facilities that fail to meet environmental standards and the associated rise in unemployment, along with the increased cost of goods and services due to environmental compliance, disproportionately affect vulnerable groups. Ukrainian legislation lacks integrated legal mechanisms to mitigate such effects. There is a need to develop cross-sectoral legal instruments, including social impact assessments, compensation mechanisms, and just transition guarantees, to ensure that ecological reforms do not undermine social cohesion or deepen socioeconomic inequality. The practical significance of the study is to provide scientifically based recommendations for the formation of an effective state policy of environmental safety in Ukraine