Overview
The results of the Rio Summit of 1992 brought a major conceptual breakthrough: environmental protection as a field of international co-operation expanded into "sustainable development" through the involvement of developing countries. This evolution has a major impact on international law as one of the prime means of co-operation between states. Scholars and practitioners are reviewing the directions into which the emerging order is moving: a stronger role for equity and justice, for compliance-control, for dispute-avoidance and capacity-building. Rule-making will only be successful if it includes all interested parties, and if it takes account of other important concerns such as international trade. This volume contains the revised and edited papers presented at a symposium held in Baden bei Wien in April 1994. The Austrian Government convened this meeting of prominent scholars and practitioners to contribute to the work of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development.Synopsis
This book contains the proceedings of the international symposium on Sustainable Development and International Law which was held in Baden bei Wien, Austria on 14–16 April 1994. The impact of the concept of sustainable development on the evolution of international law is analyzed along with the possible contributions to be made by international law towards the full implementation of sustainable development. On the one hand, the status quo concerning progress in and the obstacles to the implementation of legal instruments related to sustainable development is analyzed (in this regard, the future role of the CSD is given special attention). On the other hand, more future–oriented aspects are also dealt with, such as priorities de lege ferenda in the area of sustainable development or the promotion of international environmental standards; and existing or possible areas of conflict between environmental legal instruments and economic or social agreements. Particular consideration is given to the possibility of broadening and strengthening existing mechanisms in terms of compliance control, as well as the avoidance or settlement of disputes. In view of the steadily increasing dialogue on environment and development this book will prove an invaluable tool to scholars and practitioners active in the field.
The contributors are all of the highest calibre, including experts from international organizations and NGOs, scientists, government officials, as well as economists and media representatives.