The Evolution of Sustainable Development in International Law: Inception, Meaning and Status
Abstract
In a relatively short time the concept of "sustainable development" has become firmly established in the field of international law. The World Commission on Environment and Development concisely defined sustainable development as follows: "development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs". This definition takes into account the needs of both the present and future generations as well as the capacity of the earth and its natural resources which by clear implication should not be depleted by a small group of people (in industrialized countries). The aim of this book is threefold : to review the genesis and to clarify the meaning of the concept of sustainable development, as well as to assess its status within public international law. Furthermore, it examines the legal principles that have emerged in the pursuit of sustainable development. Lastly, it assesses to what extent the actual evolution of law demonstrates the balance and integration with all pertinent fields of international law as urged by the Rio, Johannesburg, and World Summit documents. This is the second volume in the Hague Academy of International Law Pocket Book series; it contains the text of the course given at the Hague Academy by Professor Schrijver. Cet ouvrage répond à trois objectifs : examiner la naissance du concept de développement durable, clarifier sa signification et évaluer son statut dans le droit international public. Il examine également les principes juridiques nés de la poursuite du développement durable. Enfin, il examine l'évolution actuelle du droit par rapport aux exigences énoncées à Rio, à Johannesburg et au cours du dernier sommet mondial en ce qui concerne l'intégration du concept de développement durable dans tous les domaines pertinents du droit international.
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There is agreement amongst stakeholders on the need to build trust and design a regulatory framework grounded on sustainable development and respect for human rights.
“Generally, there is agreement amongst stakeholders on the need to build trust and design a regulatory framework grounded on sustainable development and respect for human rights.129”
From Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Decisions (2023) · cites this paper as [129]
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- Authors
- Schrijver, N. J.
- Corresponding author
- Schrijver, Nico J.
- ORCID
- Schrijver, Nico J.
- Venue
- Brill | Nijhoff eBooks
- Publisher
- Brill | Nijhoff
- Published
- 2008-01-01
- OpenAlex
- W4299352325
- Cited by
- 132
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 22 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 6
- FWCI
- 3.52
- Type
- book
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Brill | Nijhoff eBooks (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law › International Environmental Law and Policies
- Social Sciences › Law › Environmental law and policy
- Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › International Law and Human Rights
- Keywords
- sustainable development, international environmental law, legal principles, Rio Declaration, Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, World Summit on Sustainable Development, intergenerational equity, natural resources, public international law
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