HI-6.4 Environmental Laws-I PDF

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT : CHANGING DIMENSIONS
6.4: ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS-I
SUBMITTED BY:
HIMANSHU VISHWANATH INDISE
UID NO.:
UG2017- 43
SUBMITTED TO:
MS. TRISHLA DUBEY
VI SEMESTER, III YEAR
ACADEMIC YEAR: 2019-2020
NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY, NAGPUR

TABLE OF CONTENTS
MEANING AND DEFINITION 3
DIMENSIONS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT - 9
ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY - 9
SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY - 10
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY - 10
ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT - 12
CUSTOMARY INTERNATIONAL LAW AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION - 15
MODERN INTERNATIONAL LAW ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION - 17
UNITED NATION CONVENTION ON HUMAN ENVIRONMENT - 20
MODERN INTERNATIONAL LAW ON ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION - 23
WORLD CONSERVATION STRATEGY, 1980 25
CHARTER FOR NATURE, 1982 25
NAIROBI DECLARATION, 1982 26
WORLD COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT, 1987 26
CARING FOR THE EARTH, 1991 27
UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT, 1992 28
WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, 2002 31
UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, 2012 33
SOFT LAW 33
CONCLUSION 35
2
MEANING AND DEFINITION
The concept of “sustainability” and “Sustainable Development” is a catch word for the policy
makers both at the national and international arena that are not self-evident. The concept
sustainability originates from the Latin word “sustinere” which means “to hold up”, “to endure”.
Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary describes sustainability as “to give support” to “to keep up”.1
Chambers 21st Century Dictionary defines “Sustainable” as capable of being sustained said of
economic development and capable of being maintained at a set level.2 Cambridge English
Dictionary defines, “Sustainable” is also used to refers to a way of suing natural products so that no
damage is cause to the environment. “Sustainability” using the resources in a way that does not
cause environmental damage.3 The World Conservation Strategy (WCS) although not define the
concept of Sustainable Development. However, the WCS describes that “living resources
conservation improve the human conditions in an environmentally sustainable way.”4 Sustainable
Development is defined as using living resources in a manner that ‘does not exceed their natural
capacity for regeneration’ as using natural resources in or manner which ensures the preservation of
the species and ecosystem for the benefit for future generations.5 For the first time, World
Commission on Environment and Development (WCED), chaired by Brundtland submitted a report
Our Common Future. The Report defines the concept of Sustainable Development as,
“Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs”.6
The Concept of Sustainable Development contains the two key concepts :
The concept of ‘needs’, in particular the essential needs of the world’s poor, to which overriding
priority should be given; and the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social
1 Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, (Third Edition, Humngry Mints Inc., New York, 2008), p. 1478
2 Chambers 21st Century Dictionary, (Revised Edition, Allied Publishers, Mumbai, 2007), p. 1425.
3 Cambridge International Dictionary of English, (First Published, Reprinted, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge,
2005), p. 1472.
4 World Conservation Union, World Conservation Strategy, Living Resource Conservation for Sustainable
Development, prepared by UNEP, IUCN and WWF, (Gland, Switzerland, 1980), (1991).
5 World Charter for Nature, 1982,UN A/Res/37/7, UNEP GC Res. 14/4, 37th Session, October 28, 1982 reprinted in 22
ILM 455 (1983).
6 In 1983, the General Assembly of the United Nations, set up a Commission, headed by Norway’s Prime Minister, Gro
Harlem Brundtland, to examine the state of World Environment and Development, beyond 2000 and also World
Commission on Environment and Development, ‘Legal Principles for Environmental Protection and Sustainable
Development’, 25 ILM 494 (1986).
3
organization on the environment’s ability to meet present and future needs.7 Caring for the Earth
defines sustainable Development as “improving the quality of human life while living within the
carrying capacity of supporting ecosystem”.8 An eminent environmentalists Dr. M. S. Swaminathan
defines “Sustainable Development implies a future in which standard of life is improved would
wise through economic development where local environment and biosphere are protected and
science is mobilized to create new opportunities for human progress.9 Abdul Kalam
remarks “Sustainable Development does not imply absolute limits to growth and it is not a new
name of environmental protection. The concept leads a unique meaning to development and sets an
integrated target for the measurement of development which has a combination of parameters
including economic status, poverty, education, health, women empowerment, harmony, physical
connectivity and environmental aspects.”10 Raymond defines “the most object and potentially
measurable criteria for Sustainable Development is the preservation of the productivity and the full
functioning of the resource base.”11 K.Parikh defines, Sustainable Development may be defined as,
“the preservation of the reduction possibilities of an economy to provide the some goods and
services obtained from the state of nature.”12 Paul Elkins Observes,“There is literally no experience
of an environment ally sustainable industrial economy, anywhere in the world, where such
sustainability refers to a non-depleting stock of environmental capital. It is therefore not
immediately apparent that, on the part experience only, the term Sustainable Development is any
more than an oxymoron”.13 Pearce defines Sustainable Development as “a situation in which the
development vector that is, the vector of desirable social objectives that include access to resources,
as well as increases in real income per capita, improvement in health and nutritional status,
7 World Commission on Environment and Development, Our Common Future, (Oxford University Press, London,
1987), p. 7.
8 Caring for the Earth: A Strategy of Sustainability, 1991, prepared by UNEP, IUCN and WWF, (Gland, Switzerland,
1991), p 211.
9 Dr. M. S. Swaminathan, “Focus-sustainable Growth”, Survey of the Environment, The Hindu, (1992).
10 A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, & Srijan Pal Singh, PURA: Innovative Solutions Towards Sustainable Development, (Penguin
Books, New Delhi, 2011), p. 129; See also L. M. Sharma, “International Action Plan (Agenda 21) for Sustainable
Development,” 5 Comp. L. J. (1998), pp 1-13 at .3.
11 Ct. M.V. Joshi, Theories and Approaches of Environmental Economics, (Atlandic Publishers, New Delhi, 2001), p
35.
12 ibid
13 Ct. Danies Goult, “Authentic Development: Is it Sustainable?” (A Sustainable World, IUCN, The
World Conservation Union,1995), pp 44-59 at 44.
4
educational achievement fairer distribution of income and increases in basic freedom does not
decrease over time.”14 Stephen Viederman, emphasizes that “sustainability is a vision of the future
that provides as with a road map and helps to focus our attention on a set of values and ethical and
moral principles by which to guide our actions, as individuals and in relation to the institutional
structures with which we have contact – governmental and non-governmental, work relations and
other”.15 More generally, Conway understands sustainability as “the ability of a system to maintain
productivity in spite of a major disturbance such as that caused by intensive stresses or a large
perturbation”. Lack of sustainability may be indicated by declining productivity. In environmental
politics it is considered that, “Sustainable development, if it is not to be devoid of analytical
content, means more than seeking a compromise between the natural environment and the pursuit of
economic growth. It means a definition of development which recognises that the limits to
sustainability have structural as well as natural origins.”16 “It simply means a form of economy that
does not undermine the capacity of the earth and all its component parts to provide both nurture and
the basic resource needs for all living matter, including human beings.”17 Lipschutz, inspired by the
common characteristics identified in the various existing definitions in environmental politics,
suggests the following definition of Sustainable Development: “A broad notion that human
consumption of resources and environmental services must be sustainable and should not exceed
the capacity of the biosphere/environment-possibly in conjunction with technology and social
organisation-to supply those resources or absorb waste products. That is, ‘natural’ stocks and flows
of goods and services must not be degraded or damaged to the point that they collapse or disappear.
At the same time the concept of Sustainable Development implies some degree of improvement in
human standards of living-not necessarily unfettered economic growth in the classical sense, but
some sort of growth, nonetheless”.18
In sum, “Sustainable Development “ensures continuing growth and progress for humankind, whilst
arresting and changing those processes which cause irreversible damage to the environment over
14 David Pearce, Edward Barbier and Anil Markandeya, Sustainable Development: Economics and Environment in the
Third World, (First Edition, Reprinted, Earth Scan, London, 1990), p. 2-3.
15 Stephen Viederman, Knowledge for Sustainable Development what we need to know? (A Sustainable World, IUCN,
- The World Conservation Union, 1995), pp 36-43 at 37
16 Redclift, Sustainable Development: Exploring the Contradictions, (First Edition, Routledge, London, 1987) p. 199
17 O’Riordan, “The New Environmentalism and Sustainable Development”, 108 The Science of the Total Environment
(1991), pp 5-9 at 7.
18 Lipschutz, Wasn't the Future Wonderful - Resources, Environment, and the Emerging Myth of Global Sustainable
Development?, ‘2 Colo. J. Int'l Envtl. L. & Pol'y (1991), pp 35-54 at 38.
5
all, it exposes a concern which focuses on human need rather than human want”.19 Abbot has
described the concept of Sustainable Development favours open economic relations and economic
growth, because poverty is a prime cause of environmental degradation and growth provides greater
resources and environmental protection. At the same time, the basic notion is that economic growth
must be sustainable for the benefit of future generations.20 Sustainable Development is about being
fair to the future. It is about leaving the next generation a similar, or better, resources endowment
than that which the present generation inherited. The concept is honouring the environment's limited
capability for receiving waste. It means using exhaustible resources wisely so that, as they are
depleted, the profits from their use are reinvested in technology and other forms of capital wealth.21
Blowers defines “This involves wholesale shift from resource exploitation to conversation, a
redistribution of wealth from rich to poor in order to meet the needs and withdrawal of those
activities which could harm future generation.”22
In 1974, President of the World Bank Mc Namara has elaborated “there are really no material
obstacles to a sane, manageable response to the world’s developmental needs. The obstacle lie in
the minds of men, we have simply not thought long enough and hard enough about the fundamental
problems of the planet” and described environmental sustainability is a big challenge.23
From the overall exposition, the concept of Sustainable Development is also understood not clearer
than its nature. However, WCED's definition offers a satisfactory and well accepted description
more generally on environmental limits and restrictions.24 Hence, the Brundtland Report identified
critical objectives for environment and development policies reflected in the concept of Sustainable
Development:
(i) Reviving growth and changing its quality,
(ii) Meeting essential needs for job, food, energy and sanitation
(iii) ensuring a sustainable level of population,
19 Smith, “Global Environmental Issues”, in Smith and Warr (Eds.,) Global Environmental Issues, (Hodder &
Stoughton, London, 1991), p.206.
20 K. Abbot, “Economic Issues and Political Participation: The Evolving Boundaries in International Federalism” 18
Cardazo Law Review (1996-97), pp 971-982 at 979.
21 Pearce, “An Economic Perspective on Sustainable Development, 2 Development Journal of SID (1989), pp 17-22 at
17.
22 Supra note 11.
23 Aarti Dhar, “Environmental Sustainability a big Challenge”, The Hindu, (11 April, 2007), p. 9.
24 Patricia W. Birnie, Alan Boyle and Catherine Redgwell, International Law and the Environment, (Third Edition,
Oxford, London, 2009), p. 119.
6
(iv) Considering and enhancing the resource base,
(v) Reorienting technology and managing risk and
(vi) merging environment and economics in the decision making.
The concept of Sustainable Development is broad but vital focus on the conservation of resources in
a cleaner environment for a better quality of life for the posterity. The concept requires present
generations to protect the natural, man made and human capital resources that they leave behind
enough of these for the future generations to be able to attain at least the same level of social well-
being as enjoyed by themselves.25 The concept eliminates the dichotomy between economic growth
and environmental protection that necessitates in formulating environmental sustainability policies
by states according to their economic, political or legal perspective as principles directeurs.
26Regardless the precise definition of WCED, the concept of Sustainable Development clearly sets
forth definite legal rules as operational goals or obligations;27 such as liberty, justice and equity into
the debate. The concept is based on the belief that human progress must conform to basic ecological
precepts and human needs in order to endure.28 Human rights lawyers for instance, focus more
particularly on the aspect of equity within and between generations, and on the satisfaction of basic
25 Ramprasad Gupta, “Human Well-Being and Sustainable Development”, XXXVII Econ. & Pol. Wkly (1993), pp
4289-4294 at 4291; See also A. J. Fair Clough, “Environmental and Natural Resources Problems Their Economic,
Political and Security Implications”, Washington Quarterly (Winter, 1991) p. 81; Ginther Handl, “Environmental
Security and Global Change”, 1 YbIEL (1990), pp 3-37 at 32; Philippe Sands, ‘International Law in the Field of
Sustainable Development’, 65 BYbIL (1994), pp 303- 381 at 306.
26 Article 2, 31 ILM 822 (1992); Preambulara para. 3, 32 ILM 1072 (1992); and Introductory para. of Bergen
Ministerial Declaration on Sustainable Development, 16 May 1990, UN Doc. A/CONF. 151/PC/10.
27 Malanczuk, “Sustainable Development: Some Critical Thoughts in the Light of the Rio Conference”, Ginther et al
(Eds.,), Sustainable Development and Good Governance, (Martinus Nijhoff, London, 1995), Chap. 2; Supra note 24, p
115; Booldield, ‘”Environmental Stability with Development: What Proposals for Research Agenda’ in Stokke (Edn.),
Sustainable Development, (Frank Cass, Lonodn,1991), p.42.
28 Lamont C. Hempel, Environmental Governance, The Global Challenge, (First Edition, Affiliated East- West Press
Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, 1998) p. 40; James Cameron, Compliance Citizens and NGOs, in James Caemeron and Peter
Roderick, (Eds.,) Improving Compliance with International Environmental Law, (First Edition, Earthscan, London,
2006), pp 29-42.
7
human needs, including the need for a clean and healthy environment.29 Ksentini Report reveals that
environmental damage has direct effects on a series of human rights including, inter alia, the right
to life, to health, and to a satisfactory standard of living.30 Farbara has quoted the Ksentini Report
the understanding and relationship between environment and human rights in global in character of
environmental problems and their human aspects has made it possible to move ‘from environmental
law to environmental rights’.31 The Report of the ILA Committee on NIEO describes that
“Sustainable Development is not a fixed state of harmony but rather a process of change in which
the exploitation of resources, the divesting of investment, the orientation of technological
development and institutional change, is made consistent with future as well as present needs.”32
Such Sustainable Development in the agriculture, forestry, industry, energy and genetic resources is
environmentally non-degrading, technically appropriate, economically viable, ecologically
sustainable and socially acceptable.33 This has also helped in realising the various dimensions of the
concept of Sustainable Development.
29 Michael R. Anderson, Human Rights Approaches to Environmental Protection: An Overview, Alan Boyle and
Michael Anderson (Eds.,), Human Rights Approaches to Environmental Protection, (Calendran Press and Oxford,
1996), pp 1- 23 at 2; in Alan Boyle and Michael Anderson (Eds.,), pp 25-41; Alan Boyle and Michael Anderson, (Eds.,),
pp 43-69; Nagendra Singh, “Sustainable Development as a Principle of International Law” in De Waart (Eds.,)
International Law and Development, (Martinus Nijhoff, London, 1988), pp 1-12; Sachs, A. “Eco-Justice: Linking
Human Rights and the Environment” World Watch Paper (1995), pp 121-127; see also William Andrew Shutkin,
“International Human Rights Law and the Earth: The Protection of Indigenous Peoples and the Environment” 31
Va.J.Int’l.L.J. (1990-1991), pp 479-511.
30 The Special Rapporteur’s Final Report, UN Doc. E/CN.4/Sub.2/1994/9; See also Stephen J. Turner, A Substantive
Environmental Right, (First Edition, Wolters Kluwer, The Netherlands, 2009), p. 19.
31 Farbara and Popovic, “Law-Making in the United Nations: The UN Study on Human Rights and Environment” 34
RECIEL (1994), pp 197-207 at 202.
32 ILA Report of the 65th Conference, 21-26 April 1992 (Cairo, 1993), 407 at para. 1.12.
33 Sustainable Agricultural Production: Implication for International Agricultural Research, Technical Advisory
Committee, GIAR, FAO, Research Technical Report No. 4 (1989), p. 43; See also L. M. Sharma, “International Action
Plan (Agenda 21) for Sustainable Development, 5 Comp. L J. (1998), pp 1-13 at .3.
8
DIMENSIONS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT -
The concept of Sustainable Development is not a new prior to the UNCED.34 The Earth Charter
was remarkably intended to be a crystallization of new thinking in the form of a set of concrete
objectives and strategies for achieving sustainability. Although some scholars have recognized,
environmental and economic dimensions, there are other dimensions of the sustainability also
exists.35 Though, some scholars have recognized only four dimensions of sustainability levels.36
There are many dimensions of sustainability has been accepted at all level are described as below;
such as,
1. Geographical Sustainability
2. Biological Sustainability
3. Ecological Sustainability
4. Social Sustainability
5. Cultural Sustainability
6. Demographic Sustainability
7. Economic Sustainability
Considering the limitation of the present study, let us examine economic, social and environmental
sustainability in detail.
ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY -
Economic sustainability depends upon the relationship between benefits and costs. It is more easily
measurable than social sustainability because it can be defined in numerical terms, primarily units
of currency. Economic sustainability is conditioned mainly by the availability and cost of inputs.
The resources of an economic process are the need to use in ways that do not damage the
34 Stockholm Declaration, June 16, 1972,UN Doc. A/CONF 48/74 and corr. 1., 11 ILM 1416 (1972).
35 UN GA Res. 66/288, 11 September, 2012, available at sustainabledevelopment.un.org/rio20.html, last visited on

20.11.2012; Xigen Wang, “On the Right to Sustainable Development: Foundation in Legal Philosophy and Legislative
Proposals”, in Stephen P. Marks (Edn.,), Implementing the Right to Development - The Role of International Law,
(Friedrich-Ebert-Stifung (FES), 2008), pp 39-46; Arvind Jasrotia, “Environmental Protection and Sustainable
Development: Exploring the Dynamics of Ethics and Law”, 49 JILI (2007), pp 30-59 at 38; V. Rajya Lakshmi,
“Sustainable Development: Need for a Proper Perspective”, CULR (2003), pp 478-492 at 483.
36 Cancado Trindade, “Relations Between Sustainable Development and Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights: Recent Developments” in Al-Nauimi & Meese (Eds.,), International Legal Issues Arising Under the Decade of
International Law, (Martinus Nijhoff, London, 1995), p.1051; see gen. Dr. A. David Ambrose, “Sustainable
Development of Natural Resources and Environmental Duties in International Law,” 4 SBRRM Journal of Law (1997),
pp 12-38.
9
environment. The imperative to reduce costs must not be an excuse to affect the long term economic
as well as ecological sustainability.37 Economic sustainability is constrained anything that upsets a
viable balance between benefits and costs. In realty, national policies play a predominant role in
achieving economic sustainability.38
SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY -
Social sustainability reflects the relationship between development and current social norms. It is
also significant that we live in a world of fast moving social and economic change. If any social
sustainability will arise or which would breach existing social values the people will oppose or
resist that activity. This leads clearly to the question of how to define the social limits that must be
respected to achieve sustainability.39 These social norms are based on religion, tradition and custom.
However, a social limit is hard to define, measure and evaluate. Social sustainability is impossible
to be codified in law, and social limits. For this type of development to become a reality at the
global and regional level action and respect of all states is required.
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY -
Ecological degradation is considered as the only root cause for socio-cultural erosion.
Environmental Sustainability is presented as the priority goal of the concept of Sustainable
Development, and is distinguished from economic and social sustainability. The effect of
deterioration of resources has seriously threatening the life supporting systems and often causes
37 Principle 15, UNCED, 1992 Rio Declaration, 14 June 1992, UN Doc. A/Conf.151/26, reprinted in 31 ILM 874
(1992).
38 Many principle of the Rio Declaration significantly emphasises that the mandate of the national policies in achieving
effective conservation of resources both for present and future generations. See Principles 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17,
Supra note 37.
39 See gen. John Ferris, Carol Norman and Joe Sempik, “People, Land and Sustainability: Community Gardends and
the Social Dimension of Sustainable Development” 35 Social Policy and Administration (2001), pp 539-568.
10
conflict to security40 including environmental security41 both at the time of peace as well as war.42
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) also widely accepted environmental security is one
of the leading international community’s agenda.43 Irrespective the conservation of resources,
environmental sustainability is now widely recognized as a mandate in an international arena. It
should maintain, recover and restore the natural resource base, as finite resources.44 Sustainable
Development described as one of the means for reaching that goal. An environmental sustainability
means, it must not degrade the diversity and biological productivity of ecosystems nor ecological
processes and vital systems. Environmental sustainability challenges the environmental
40 Norman Myers, “The Environmental Dimension to Security Issues”, 6 The Environmentalists (1986), pp 251-257;
See also Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development Legal Principles and Recommendations, adopted by
the Experts Groups on Environmental Law on the WCED, (Graham & Trotman/ Martinus Nijhoff, Lonodn, 1986); J.
Rifkin, Biospheric Politics: A New Consciousness for a New Century, (Crown, New York, 1991), p. 2; Ginther Hanld,
“Environmental Security and Global Change: The Challenge to International Law”, 1 YbIEL (1990), pp 3-33 at 24;
Daniel Deudney, “Environmental Security: A Critique” in Daniel Deudney and Richard Mathew (Eds.,), Contested
Grounds: Security and Conflict in the New Environmental Politics, (State University of the New York Press, New York,
1999), pp 187-217 at 215; Simon Dalby, “Environmental Insecurities: Geopolitics, Resource and Conflict”, XXXVIII
Econ. & Pol. Wkly. (2003), pp 5073-5079; Assetto & Bruyninickx, “Environmental Security and Social Conflict:
Implications of the Gabcikovo-Nagymaros Controversy”, in Blake (Eds.,), International Boundaries and Environmental
Security: Frameworks for Regional Cooperation, (Kluwer Law International, 1997), Chap. 20.
41 Lorraine Elliott, The Global Politics of the Environment, (First Edition, Macmillan, London, 1998), Ch. 9; Alhaji B.
M. Marong, “From Rio to Johannesburg: Reflections on the Role of International Legal Norms in Sustainable
Development” 16 Geo. Int’l Envtl. L. Rev. (2003-2004), pp 21-76 at 40-42; Moumita Das and Padmini Singh,
“Sustainable Development and Environmental Law: India – Australia Experience”, 45 IJIL (2005), pp 243-254 at 249;
see also Ginther Handl, “Environmental Security and Global Change”, 1 YbIEL (1990), pp 3-37.
42 See Principle 24, Supra note 37; See also Article 73, 8 ILM 679 (1969); Hague Convention Concerning the Laws
and Customs of War on Land, 18 October, 1907 in force 26 January 1910; Hague Regulations to the International
Convention with Respect to the Laws and Customs of War by Land (Hague II), 1899, available at www.icrc.org/ihl, last
visited on 12.12.2012; 16 ILM 1391 (1977); ENMOD Convention, 1108, U.N.T.S 151; Nagendra Singh, “Right to
Environment and Sustainable Development As a Principle on International, Law”, 29 JILI (1967), pp 289-312 at 291;
and Dr A. M. Mannion, “The Environmental Impact of War & Terrorism”, Geographical Paper No. 169, June 2003.
43 United Nations Millennium Development Declaration, GA Res. 55/2, UN Doc.A/RES/55/2, 18 September, 2000,
available at http:// www:unmillenniumproject.org/goals/index.htm last visited on 23.03.2020
44 Dr. S. A. K. Azad, “Sustainable Development and Environment,” 28 Indian Bar Review (2001), pp 167- 174 at 168;
See also Shamsher Singh, “Sustainable Development – Constitutional and Legal Developments in India”, available at
www.indialaw.com last visited on 23.03.2020.
11
security45that has also been equated with national security.”46 Surprisingly, Since Rio environmental
sustainability expressed in obligatory terms.47
Two distinct features of environmental security are:
(i) the environmental causes of conflict, i.e. environmental factors behind potentially violent
conflicts; and
(ii) the impact of environmental degradation on overall political economy, health and life of the
people.
ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT -

Until the late 19th century, there was no evidence to qualify any trade and development which led to
the destruction of resources areas beyond national jurisdiction.48 Any environmental pollution and
its consequences are considered as a domestic and national issue. In the late 1940s, the formation of
UN on the one hand the GATT on the other help the state to exploit their resources to carry out trade
and developmental activities with limited restrictions.49 Similarly, in the early 1960s, the UN in its
General Assembly Resolution conferred an unfettered freedom and sovereignty over natural
resources50 even beyond the territorial limit.51 The Cocoyoc Declaration also remarkably stressed
45 Sverre Lodgaard, “Environmental conflict Resolution”, Paper Presented at the UNEP meeting on Environmental
Conflict Resolution, Nairobi, (30 March 1990); see also Andrew B. Whitford and Karen Wong, “Political and Social
Foundations for Environmental Sustainability” 62 Political Research Quarterly (2009), pp 190-204.
46 Maurice F. Strong, Preparatory Committee, March 5, 1990; Peter H. Sand, “UNCED and the International
Environmental Law,” 3 YbIEL (1992), pp 3-17 at 14; Sand, “International Law on the Agenda of the United Nations
Conference on Environment and Development: Towards Global Environmental Security”, 60 Nordic J. Int’l L. (1991),
pp 5-18; Norman Myers, “The Environmental Dimension to Security Issues”, 6 The Environmentalists, (1986), p. 251.
47 In the late 1990s the multilateral environmental agreements used should and shall.
48 Principle 21 of the Stockholm Declaration, June 16, 1972UN Doc. A/CONF 48/74 and corr. 1., reprinted in 11 ILM
1416 (1972); Philippe J. Sands, “The Environment, Community and International Law”, 30 Harv. Int’l L. J. (1989), pp
393-420, at 406. And Tarun Jain, “Transboundary Harm: An Environmental Principle in International Context”, VII
ICFAI University Journal of Environmental Law (2008), pp 10-22 at 13.
49 Shyam Divan Armin Rosencranz, Environmental Law and Policy in India, Cases, Materials and Statutes, (Second
Edition, Oxford, New Delhi, 2008), p.590.
50 Permanent Sovereignty Over Natural Resources, UNGA Res. 1803, (XVII), 14 December, 1962, 17th Session,
Supplement No. 17 (A/5217); 2 ILM 223 (1963); JN Hyde, “Permanent Sovereignty Over Natural Resources and
Wealth” 50 AJIL (1964), pp 854-876; UNGA Res. 1314 (XIII), 1958.
51 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 10 December 1982, 21 ILM 1261 (1982).
12
that the states sovereignty in exploiting their resources.52 When a state is commited in quantifying
their economic status and with right to self-determination has resultant many irreversible
environmental problems even beyond the national boundaries and created a serious threat to the
human survival.
The global environmental movement had understood the interdependence of the people and the
environment53 and established an honourable place in the multilateral trading system54 a serious
attempt was made for future survival of human being.55 It is also believed that the UN has also
contributed most noteworthy an appropriate environmental management and planning.56 For the
first time, in the early 1970s, environmental issues began as a growing part of public international
52 UNEP/UNCTAD Symposium on Patterns of Resource Use, Environment and Development Strategies, Cocoyoc,
Mexico 12-18 June 1974 available at http:www.unep.org/geo/geo3/English/080.htm last visited on 24.03.2020.
53 S. Bhatt, International Environmental Law, (A. P. H. Publishing Corporation, New Delhi, 2007), p.38- 39; Dr.
Krushna Chandra Jena, “Ecological and Environmental Protection Movements: A Brief Conspectus,” AIR (J) (2005), pp
288-294 at 292.
54 Malcolm N. Shaw, International Law, (Fifth Edition, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2004), p. 754; Mark
Halle, “The WTO and Sustainable Development”, available at http://www.iisd.org/publications/pub.aspx?id=779, pp
395-405 at 405 last visited on 24.07.2012.
55 I. A. Shearer, Starke’s International Law, (Eleventh Edition International Student Edition, Oxford Univesity Press,
Oxford, 1994), p.362; David Hughes, Environmental Law, (Second Edition, Butterworths, London, 1992), p. 14; M. C.
Cordonier Seggar and A. Khalfan, Sustainable Development Law, (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2004), pp 45-50;
See also for general discussion D. French, “International Law and Policy of Sustainable Development”, Manchester:
Manchester University Press, 2005); J. F. Weiss and Schrijver, (Eds.,), International Law and Sustainable Development:
Principles and Practice, (Martinus Nijhoff, Leiden, 2004) and Alan Boyle and D. Freestone,, (Eds.,) International Law
and Sustainable Development: Past Achievements and Future Challenges, (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1999).
56 12 ILM 1085 (1973); 26 ILM 1529 (1987); 26 ILM 1550 (1987); Arts. 8 (g), 10 (a), 11, 12 and 13 (b), 31 ILM 822
(1992); 33 ILM 1332 (1994); 28 ILM 657 (1989); 31 ILM 1330 (1992); 39 ILM 1027 (2000); Konard Von Moltke,
“The Last Round: The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade in Light of the Earth Summit” 23 Envtl. L. (1993), pp
516-534 at 519; Daniel C. Esty, “Brindging the Trade-Environment Divide”, 15 (3) Journal of Economic Perspectives
(2001), pp 113-130 at 121; Jose Maria Figueres “Trade and Environment and the World Trade Organisation: The Need
for a Constructive Dialogue” in Gray P. Sampson (Edn.,), The Role of World Trade Organisation In Global Governance,
(University Press, Tokyo, 2001); Sara Dillon, “A Farewell to Linkage: International Trade Law and Global
Sustainability Indicators” 55 Rutgers L. Rev. (2002), Gray P. Sampson & W. Brandee Chambers (Eds.), Trade,
Environment and the Millennium, (Second Edition, University Press, Bookwell, Tokyo and New Delhi, 2002); Donald
McRae, “Trade and Environment: Competition, Cooperation or Confusion”? 41 Atla. L. Rev. (2003), pp 745-760;
Aaron Cosbey, “Lessons Learned on Trade and Sustainable Development” (IISD, Winnipeg, 2004); Aaron Cosbey, A
Capabilities Approach to Trade and Sustainable Development: Using Sen’s Conception of Development to Re-Examine
the Debates, (Winnipeg: IISD, 2004); Anupam Goyal, The WTO and International Environmental Law, (First Edition,
Oxford University Press, New Delhi, 2006), p. 46.
13
law;57 in the late 1980s the concept of Sustainable Development has emerged in the contemporary
history of civilization.58 The various MEAs expressly or impliedly reemphasise the need for an
effective conservation of resources for the better of present and future generations.59 To demarcate
the development and the conservation of resources, in the early 1980, World Commission on
Environment and Development was set up.
Conservation of resources to achieve environmental sustainability by the national governments
subsequently endorsed universal level at Rio.60 Agenda 21 in its preamble refers ‘the need for a
global partnership for Sustainable Development’, and most of its provisions are intended to promote
the concept.61 WSSD also describes methods and means for implementing the mandate to achieve
environmental Sustainability.62 There are substantial efforts in order to ensure the timeless
prosperity of mankind in terms of both the ecological and economic development of international
environmental law.63 This chapter is also tracing an evolution of the concept of Sustainable
Development both customary law and modern law perspective.
57 Supra note 24, p 44; S. Bhatt, Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, (A.P.H. Publishing
Corporation New Delhi, 2004), p. 23; John H. Jackson, “Sovereignty-Modern: A New Approach to an Outdated
Concept”, 97 AJIL (2003), pp 782-802.
Concept”, 97 AJIL (2003), pp 782-802.
Concept”, 97 AJIL (2003), pp 782-802.
60 Markus W. Gehring and Marie-Claire Cordoniew Seggar, (Eds.,) Sustainable Development in World Trade Law,
(Kluwer Law International, The Netherlands, 2005) p. 5; Supra note 37; and 33 ILM 1332 (1994).
61 UNGA Res. 47/191 (1992); See Osborn and Bigg, Earth Summit II: Outcomes and Analysis, (London, 1998), p. 60;
See also Programme for Further Implementation of Agenda 21, UN GA Res. S-19/2, 28 June 1997, 36 ILM 1639
(1997).
62 See UNGA Res. 55/1999; Report of the World Commission on Sustainable Development, Sep. 2002, U. N. Doc. A/
CONF. 199/20.
63 Anupam Goyal, The WTO and International Environmental Law, (First Edition, Oxford University Press, New
Delhi, 2006), p. 57.
14
CUSTOMARY INTERNATIONAL LAW AND ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION -
Customary international law sine qua non offers responsibility to the state to solve transbounary
environmental problem.64 For the first time, in 1893 the Behring Sea Seals case65 the tribunal
observed that the states had authority to adopt measures for the protection marine mammals in the
high seas. The Oder66 and Meuse,67 the PCIJ examined the extent of jurisdictional reach of the
international commission to regulate the use of the river. The judicial decisions demonstrate the
importance of the principle of equity in the development of international law.68 The equity principle
is certainly a fluid principle. Despite its fluidity, the principle has played legitimacy in the
consumption of common resources. In the early 1940s, the classic adjudication, affirmed that the
principle of “Good Neighbourlines.69 In Lac Lanoux case, the court established the importance of
prior consultation before undertaking a project that has transboundary effects.70 Such a principle has
been repeated in a number of international instruments, including the Convention of Environmental
Impact Assessment (EIA).71 The tribunal further stated: “the rule according to which States may
utilize the hydraulic force of international watercourses only on condition of a prior agreement
between the interested States cannot be established as a custom, nor even less as a general principle
of law.”
In the aftermath of the Lac Lanoux case, a new bilateral treaty was signed between France and
Spain.72 This agreement authorises the state to take all necessary measures to resolve the situation
64 Philippe J. Sands, “The Environment, Community and International Law”, 30 Harv. Int’l L. J. (1989), pp 393-420, at
399 and Ian Brownlie, “A Survey of International Customary Rules of Environment Protection”, 13Nat. Resources J
(1973), pp 9-18 at 13.
65 Pacific Fur Seal Arbitration, 15 August, 1893, 1 Moore’s Int’l Arb. Awards, 755.
66 PCIJ Ser, A. No. 23, 10th December, 1929.
67 PCIJ Ser. A/B, No. 70 28th June 1937.
68 Ian Brownlie, Principles of Public International Law, (Seventh Edition, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2008),
p.25; Manfred Lachs, “The Challenge of the Environment”, 39 ICLQ (1990), pp 663-669 at 667.
69 Trail Smelter (U.S. v. Canada), 3, R. Int’l Arb. Awards (1938 & 1941), 1905; See gen Alfred P. Rubin, “Pollution by
Analogy: The Trail Smelter Arbitration” 50 Or. L. Rev. (1970-1971), pp 259-282.
70 Lake Lanoux Arbitration, 12 R Int’l Arb. Awards. (1957), 281.
71 United Nations Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context, 25 February 1991, 30
ILM 800 (1991), (in force 10 September 1997).
72 16 ILM 242 (1976).

15
including making reparations. In Nuclear Test case,73 the ICJ emphasised that international
environmental law does not specifically prohibit the use of nuclear weapons but provides important
environmental rules and principles international humanitarian law. The court also underlined the
importance of environmental consideration in the principles of proportionality and necessity in the
pursuit of armed conflict.74 The Court also rejected the argument that the use of nuclear weapons
infringed on the right to life as stated in the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.75 And declared
that erga omnes obligation to stop such testing.
The Court also emphasized that:
“the environment is not an abstraction but represents the living space, the quality of life and the
very health of human beings, including generations unborn. The environment is under daily threat
and that the use of nuclear weapons could constitute a catastrophe for the environment. The
existence of the general obligation of states to ensure that activities within their jurisdiction and
control respect the environment of other states or of areas beyond national control is now part of the
corpus of international law relating to the environment. And states must take environmental
considerations into account when assessing what is necessary and proportionate in the pursuit of
legitimate military objectives. Respect for environment is one of the elements that go to assessing
whether an action is in conformity with the principles of necessity and proportionality”.
The early growth of international environmental issues is reflected in the large body rules of
customary law which apply bilaterally, regionally and globally. Subsequently, the custom has
characterized and accepted as a source.76 The environmental issues also reflect international
interdependence. The conditions which have contributed to the emergence of International
Environmental Law are two fold:
• Environmental issues are accompanied by recognition that ecological interdependence does not
respect national boundaries, and
73 Australia v. France, New Zealand v. France, Interim Protection, (1973), ICJ Rep. 99 and 135 (Orders of June 22):
(1974), ICJ Rep. 253 and 257, 20 December, 1974.
74 Additional Protocol to the 1949 Geneva Conventions, 1977, 8 June, 1977,16 ILM 1391 (1977) (in force 7 December
1978) and ENMOD Convention, 1108, U.N.T.S. 151.
75 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 6 ILM 368 (1967), UNGA Res. 2200A (XXI), UN Doc. A/6316
(1966), 99 U.N.T.S. 171; International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 6 ILM 360 (1967).
76 Statute of the International Court of Justice, Art. 38 (b), 59 stat. 1031, U.N.T.S. No. 993, 1976 UNYB), 1052; Anthea
Elizabeth Roberts, “Traditional and Modern Approached to Customary International Law: A Reconciliation” 95 AJIL
(2001), pp 751-797 at 759.
16
• Issues previously considered to be matters of domestic sovereign concern have international
implications : The implications which may be bilateral, sub regional or global can frequently only
be addressed by international law and regulation.77
One requirement of the test of custom is that a general recognition must be found among nations
that a certain practice is obligatory.78 Professor Ian Brownlie concludes in a survey of the
international customary rules of environmental protection that custom “provides limited means of
social engineering”.79 To him the limitations of custom, evidence the need for the development of
new institutions, standards and localized regimes. As a result of the judicial decision on
environmental protection the web treaty law on environment increases.80
MODERN INTERNATIONAL LAW ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION -

The judicial decision on the one hand and the UNCHE on the other remark that there are legitimate
instances where transboundary harm is permitted, because many harms that occur every day
resulting from ordinary economic and other social activity occurs by an accident, often unrelated to
fault.81 This can help not only protecting the sovereignty but also resolving conflicts between
generations to share in the earth’s limited resources. The UN Charter describes that no state is to
violate the sovereignty of another state.82 Realising the need for conservation of common resources
between generations the prominent contribution MEAs focuses on various strategies, such as
planning, management. At the turn, early in the century, there were relatively few multilateral or
bilateral international environmental agreements were concluded to protect commercially valuable
species.83 Environmental agreements are also facilitating navigation and guaranteeing fishing rights.
It is also interesting to note that, the subject-matter of international environmental agreements has
77 Philippe Sands, Principles of International Environmental Law, (Second Edition, Reprinted, Cambridge University
Press, Cambridge, 2005), p 152.
78 Supra note 8.
79 Ian Brownlie, “A Survey of International Customary Rules of Environment Protection”, 13 Nat. Resources J (1973),
pp 9-18 at 13.
80 Geoffrey Palmer, “New ways to Make International Environmental Law”, 86 AJIL (1992), pp 18-29 at 24.
81 Oscar Schachter, “Emergence of International Environmental Law” Journal of International Affairs, (1991), pp
457-493 at 463; see gen. Supra note 79, p 27.
82 Art. 2 (1) and 4 of the United Nations Charter, Sanfrancisco, June 26, 1945, 67 UKTS (1946), 39 AJIL Suppl.
(1945), pp 190, (into force 24 October 1945).
83 Convention for the Protection of Birds Useful to Agriculture, 19 March, 1902; 4 IPE 1615, (in force 20 April 1980);
Treaty for the Protection of Fur Seals, 7 July 1911, (in force 15 December 1911).
17
expanded significantly. Hoffman has describes “in response to this demand, however, the United
Nations General Assembly has fostered the development obligations of state with respect to the
environment without concomitant attention to that part of international law-making that serves to
build a structure of world environmental order, namely the development of secondary or functional
rules of international law which exist to promote the practical realisation of the substantive or
primary rules of international law defining the content of a state’s legal obligations”.84
The PSNR85 and RTD86 are the legal elements of the concept of Sustainable Development. The
sovereign right to exploit resources is not contemplating the customary principle of international
law. The UNCHE categorically reemphasise the international responsibility87 to protect the
territorial rights of neighbouring state88 whose prospects may be jeopardized.89 There are issues
relating to state responsibility.
Firstly, whether and to what extent a state is responsible for pollution damage originating either
within its own territory or from an entity subject to the jurisdiction and cause damage outside its
territory to another state or entity; and
Secondly, if there is such responsibility, under what principles of liability should compensate or
other damages provided to the victim.90 Today there are agreements to address environmental issues
and effective conservation of resources in all media; such as conventions relating to whaling
84 Kenneth B.Hoffman. ‘State Responsibility in International Law and Transboundary Pollution Injuries” 25 ICLQ
(1976), pp 509-542 at.509.
85 Supra note 51; O’Keefe, “The United Nations Permanent Sovereignty Over Natural Resources” 8 Journal of World
Trade Law (1974), pp 239 -282.
86 United Nations Declaration on Right to Development, 1986, 21 ILM 58 (1986), (in force 21 October 1986).
87 Francisco Orrego Vicunna, “State Responsibility and Remedial Measures under International Law: New Criteria for
Environmental Protection, in Edith Brown Weiss (Edn.,) Environmental Change and International Law: New
Challenges and Dimensions, (United Nations University Press, Tokyo, 1992), Ch 5.
88 Dr. A. David Ambrose, “Transfrontier Environmental Protection: New Challenges and International Response”, Law
and Social Problems, (1997-98), pp 71-87 at 71; See gen., M. Gandhi, “State Responsibility and International
Environmental Law,” in Bimal N. Patel (Edn.,) India and International Law, (Koninklijke Brill N.V., The Netherlands,
2001), pp 223-247 and Ginther Handl, “Territorial Sovereignty and the Problem of Transnational Pollution”, 69 AJIL
(1975), pp 50-76 54.
89 Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development Legal Principles and Recommendations, adopted by the
Experts Groups on Environmental Law on the WCED, (Graham & Trotman/ Martinus Nijhoff, 1986).
90 Principle 13 and Principle 22, Supra note 34.

18
practices,91 fisheries,92 birds,93 oil pollution in oceans,94 and agreements governing international
liability for nuclear damage,95 oil-pollution casualties,96 to civil liability for oil-pollution
damage,97Convention on oil pollution in the North Sea,98 marine pollution,99 long range
transboundary air pollution,100 protection of the ozone layer,101 climate change,102 biodiversity,103
desertification,104 trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora,105 transboundary movement
of hazardous wastes and their disposal,106 industrial accidents,107 wetlands108 and so on. It is
interesting to note that, combating these problems states have accepted their response to
91 Convention on Preservation of Fauna and Flora in their Natural State, London, 8 November 1933; 172 U.N.T.S. 241,
(in force 14 January 1936); Convention on Nature Protection and Wild Life Preservation, Washington, 12 October 1940,
56 Stat. 1354, 161 U.N.T.S. 193 (in force 30 April 1942); Convention on Regulation of Whaling, 24 September 1931,
155 U.N.T.S. 349, (in force 16 January 1935). International Convention on Regulation of Whaling, 2 December 1946,
161 U.N.T.S. 72, (in force 10 November 1948).
92 161 U.N.T.S. 72.
93 International Convention for the Protection of Birds, Paris, 18 October 1950, 638 U.N.T.S. 186, (in force 17 January
1963).
94 International Convention for the Protection of Pollution of the Sea by Oil, London, 12 May 1954 3 U.N.T.S. 327;
704 U.N.T.S. 3, 9 ILM 359 (1970); 9 ILM 25 (1970) and 9 ILM 45 (1970), (in force 19 June1958)
95 OECD Convention on Third Party Liability in the Field of Nuclear Energy, Paris 29 July 1960, 55 AJIL (1961),
1082, (in force 1 April 1968); 2 ILM 685 (1963); 1063 U.N.T.S. 265; 2 ILM 727 (1963); 25 ILM 1370 (1986) and 25
ILM 1377 (1986).
96 327 U.N.T.S. 3; 11 ILM 284 (1972).
97 12 May 1954, in force 26 July 1958, 327 U.N.T.S. 3
98 30 ILM 733 (1990).
99 UKTS (1976) 43, 11 ILM 1295 (1972)
100 18 ILM 1442 (1979) and Protocols of 1988, 1991 and 1994.
101 The Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, 22 March 1985, 26 ILM 1529 (1987), (in force 22
September 1988) and Montreal Protocol 10 September 1987, 26 ILM 1541 (1987), (in force 1 January 1989).
102 UN Doc. A/AC. 237/18 (Part II); 31 ILM 849 (1992).
103 UN Doc. UNEP Bio. Div/N7-INC. 5/4; 31 ILM 822 (1992).
104 UN. Doc. A/AC. 241/15/Rev. 3 ; 33 ILM 1332 (1994).
105 993 UNTS 243; 12 ILM 1085 (1973); Paul Mathews, “Problems Related to the Convention on the International
Trade in Endangered Species”, 45 ICLQ (1996), pp 421-431.
106 UN Doc. UNEP/WG. 190/4; 28 ILM 657 (1989); See gen. T. R. Subramanya, “The Basel Convention on the
Control of Transboundary Movements and Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal of 1989 and Related Developments -
An Overview”, 46 IJIL (2006), pp 406-428.
107 31 ILM 1330 (1992) and 32 ILM 1228 (1993).
108 11 ILM 963 (1973).

19
transboundary environmental problems through international agreements which requires co-
ordination among states.
UNITED NATION CONVENTION ON HUMAN ENVIRONMENT -

Since the creation of the UN, great efforts have progressed to adopt appropriate and adequate
measurer in environmental protection and still continuing the work. Prior to the Stockholm
Declaration on Human Environment several international environmental agreements have been
adopted, in particular, some on marine pollution.109 However, environmental management triggered
a flurry of activity at international levels. The Modern system on environmental management dates
to the 1972 UNCHE held in Stockholm 5-16 June 1972.110 UNCHE attracted 103 affirmative votes,
12 abstentions and not a single negative vote. The 7 universal truths and 26 principles were adopted
in the UNCHE. The UNCHE was a magnificent achievement which brought the attention on
environmental issues which is a classic concern to conserve the resources for present and future
generation with global approach.111 During the debate of UNCHE it was described “the declaration
is an important milestone in the history of the human race” and that it was “starting point in the task
of making the planet a fit place for future generations”.112
The Stockholm Declaration also describes that the present generation has a duty to know an
environmental quality but also have a “solemn responsibility to protect and improve the
environment for present and future generations.”113 UDHR accomplished for the protection of
109 International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil, London, 12 May 1954, in force 26 July
1958; 327 U.N.T.S. 3 Convention on Fishing and Conservation of the Living Resources of the High Seas, Geneva, 29
April 1958, 559 U.N.T.S. 285; 52 AJIL (1958), 851, (in force 20 March 1966); 9 ILM 25 (1970); 11 ILM 251 (1972);
19 ILM 841 (1990); 11 ILM 262 (1972) and 11 ILM 1294 (1972).
110 UNGA Res.2994, 2995 and 2996; and Supra note 34.
111 Jaye Ellis and Stephen Wood, “International Environmental Law” in Benjamin Richardson and Stephen Wood
(Eds.,) Environmental Law Sustainability : A Reader, (Hart Publishing, Oxford, London, 2006), pp 343-380 at 344.
112 Louis B. Sohn, “The Stockholm Declaration on the Human Environment”, 14 Harv. Int’l L. J. (1973), pp 423-515;
T. Sullivan, “The Stockholm Conference: A Step Toward Global Environmental Cooperation and Involvement” 6
Indiana L. Rev. (1972), pp 267-282; See also: David Hunter, James Salzman and Durwoood Zaelke, International
Environmental Law and Policy, (Second Edition, Foundation Press, New York, 2002), p 175.
113 Supra note37.

20
fundamental freedoms and human rights,114 that is essentially a manifesto, expressed in the form of
ethical code, intended to govern and influence future action and programmes both at the national
and international levels.115 UNCHR has also asserted a link between preservation of the
environment and promotion of human rights.116 A fundamental question is whether human rights
and environmental protection are premised upon fundamentally different social values, such that
efforts to implement both simultaneously would produce conflict with each other.117 Considering
the overlapping with each other;118 the UNCHE is described as Magna Carta on environmental
protection.
Principle 1 of the UNCHE emphasized the fundamental right to adequate conditions of life for
present and future generations.119 Principle 2 of the declaration emphasized that the natural
114 Arvind Jasrotia, “Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, Exploring the Dynamics, Ethics and
Law”, 49 JILI (2007), pp 30-59 at 42; Cancado Trindade, “The Contribution of International Human Rights Law to
Environmental Protection, with Special Reference to Global Environmental Change”, in Edith Brown Weiss (Edn.,)
Environmental Change and International Law: New Challenges and Dimensions, (United Nations University Press,
Tokyo, 1992), Ch 9; See generally Alexandre Kiss, “International Human Rights Law and Environmental Problem” in
Edith Brown Weiss (Edn.,) Environmental Change and International Law: New Challenges and Dimensions, (United
Nations University Press, Tokyo, 1992), Ch. 8; and Alan Boyle, “The Role of Human Rights Law in the Protection of
the Environment” in Alan Boyle and Michael Anderson (Eds.,) Human Rights Approaches to Environmental Protection,
(Calendron, London, 1996), pp 43-70.
115 I. A. Shearer, Starke’s International Law, (Eleventh Edition International Student Edition, Oxford, 1994), p. 359;
See gen. R. S. Pathak, “Human Rights System as a Conceptual Framework for Environmental Law”, in Edith Brown
Weiss (Edn.,) Environmental Change and International Law: New Challenges and Dimensions, (United Nations
University Press, Tokyo, 1992), Ch.5.
116 Dinah Shelton, “Human Rights, Environmental Rights and Right to the Environment” 28 Stand. J. Int’l L. (1991),
pp 103-138 at 104; Robin Churchill, “Environmental Rights in Existing Human Rights Treaties” in Alan Boyle and
Michael Anderson (Eds.,) Human Rights Approaches to Environmental Protection, (First Edition, Calendron, London,
1998), pp 89-108 at 100.
117 Supra note 24, p 39; Alan Boyle, “Human Rights and the Environment: A Reassessment”, Fordham Environmental
Law Review, (2008), pp 471-511; Dinah Shelton, “Human Rights and the Environment: What Specific Environmental
Rights Have Been Recognized?” 35 De J of Int’l L & Pol’y (2007), pp 129- 172; Marc Pallamaerts, “A Human Rights
Perspective on Current Environmental Issues and their Management: Evolving International Legal and Political
Discourse on the Human Environment, to Individual and the State” 1 Hum Rts & Int’l Legal Discourse (2008), pp
149-172; Robin R. Churchill, “Environmental Rights in Existing Human Rights Treaties” in Alan Boyle and Michael
Anderson (Eds.,) Human Rights Approaches to Environmental Protection, (Calendron, London, 1998), pp 153-176 at
175; and Stephen J. Turner, A Substantive Environmental Right, (Wolters Kluwer, The Netherlands, 2009), p.63.
118 Supra note 53, at p 591; Philippe Cullet, “Definition of an Environmental Rights in a Human Rights Context”, 13
Netherlands Human Rights (1995), pp 25-40.
119 Supra note 34.

21
resources must be safeguarded for the benefit of present and future generations.120 Principle 8
emphasized that, economic and social development is essential for ensuring a favorable living and
working environment for man that are necessary for the improvement of the quality of life.121
Principle11 stresses that states commitment to make appropriate environmental measures.122
Principle 21 is a classical example for customary principle of international law with regard to state
responsibility in conservation of resource123 .Jaydeepsinh has described124 that Principle 21 has been
attaining the status of juscogens125 that is to say the body of peremptory principles or norms from
which no derogation is permitted.126 Principle 22 of UNCHE urged the states to develop the
international law regarding liability and compensation for the victims of pollution and other
environmental damage caused by the activities within the jurisdiction or control of such states to
areas beyond their jurisdiction”.127 The UNCHE, basically have two conflicting approaches. The
first approach is the primary concern of control of pollution and conservation of natural resources.
The second approach is social and economic development. The two seemingly opposite approaches
were as two sides of the coin that are inseparable from each after. The declaration does not tell us
how these aims, which may be mutually incompatible, are to be achieved. The UNCHE led to the
establishment of the UNEP headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. UNEP is to act as a catalyst for the
environment in the UN system.128 Over the years, UNEP contribute significantly, by adopting a
120 ibid
121 ibid
122 ibid
123 Principle 21 declares that States have, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the principle of
international law the sovereign right to exploit their own resources to their own environmental policies, and the
responsibility to ensure that the activities within their jurisdiction, or control do not cause damage to the environment of
other states or of areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. Supra note 34.
124 Supra note 5; R. P. Anand, “Development and Environment: The Case of Developing Country”, 20 IJIL (1980), pp
1-19 at 13; Supra note 82 at 259; Foo Kim Boon, “The Rio Declaration and its influence on International Environmental
Law”, 1992 SJLS, (1992) pp 347-364 at 354; see also Edith Brown Weiss, “Opening the Door to the Environmental and
Future Generations” in Laurence Biisson De and Philippe Sands (Eds.,), International Law, The International Court of
Justice and Nuclear Weapons, Cambridge, (1999), pp 338-353; Supra note 24, p 49.
125 Jaydeepsinh, G. Vaghela, “Judiciary of India and Implementation of international Environmental Law: Some
Remarks”, Bimal N. Patel (Eds.,) India and International Law, (Koninklijke Brill, The Netherlands, 2008), pp 453-467.
126 I. A. Shearer, Starke’s International Law, Eleventh Edition, International Student Edition, Oxford, (1994), p. 48.
127 Supra note 34.
128 Carol Annette Petsonk. A., “The Role of UNEP in the Development of International Environmental Law”, 5
AUJILP (1990), pp 2351-391 at 351; see also Mark Allen Gray, “The United Nations Environment Programme: An
Assessment”, 20 Environmental Law (1990), pp 291-319.
22
significant number of MEAs as well as many regional agreements.129 UNEP push states, probe their
policies, as the environmental science of the UN system.130 Boyle describes that soft law consists of
general norms or principles not rules.131 UNEP is the principal source of environmental data,
assessment and reporting and advance stage of cooperation. All UNEP financed by direct, voluntary
contribution from member states. However, UNEP cannot coerce the state to commit to comply soft
law instruments.
MODERN INTERNATIONAL LAW ON ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION -

States have undertaken a range of international obligations in respect of protection of the
environment under customary International law as well as general principles of international law.132
To put some flesh on the bones of Principle 21 UNCHE, the ILC began its initiatives in
1978.133International law and institutions should be used efficient tools for the peaceful resolution
of those international economic conflicts which already exist or can be foreseen in the field of
natural resources.134 Resource management has unquestionably been dominated by a concern with
technical sophistication as a source of creditability of political, cultural, economic and social
129 11 ILM 1358 (1972); 993 U.N.T.S. 243; 12 ILM 1085 (1973); Convention on the Protection of the Marine
Environment of the Baltic Sea Area, Helsinki, 22 March 1974, (in force 3 May 1980); 13 ILM 546 (1974); 11 ILM 1294
(1972);13 ILM 352 (1974); ENMOD Convention, UNGA 10 December 1976, U.N.T.S. 1108, 151; and 18 ILM 1442
(1979).
130 UNGA A/Res/2995, XXVII, 15 December 1972, GAOR 27th Session, Supplement No. 30 (A/8730).
131 Alan Boyle, “Some Reflections on the Relationship of Treaties and Soft Law” 48 ICLQ (1999), pp 901- 913 at 901;
see gen. Christine Chinkin, “The Challenge of Soft Law: Development and Change in International Law”, 38 ICLQ
1989), pp 850-866; Pierre Marie Dupuy, “Soft Law and the International Law of the Environment” 12 Mich. J. Int’l L.
(1990-1991), pp 420-435.
132 Robust W. Hahn, “Toward a New Environmental Paradigm “, 102 Yale Law Journal (1997), pp 1719- 1961 at 1756;
See also: Simon Dalby, “Environmental Insecurities: Geopolitics, Resource and Conflict”, XXXVIII Econ. Pol. & Wkly
(2003), pp 5073-5079.
133 The ILC established the Working Group on International Liability for Injurious Consequences arising out of acts
not prohibited by International Law at its 152nd meeting on June 16, 1978 and Robert Q. Quentin - Baxter was
appointed special Rapporteur (1987).
134 Andrey Parry and J.E.S. Fawcett, Law and International Resource Conflicts, (Calendron Presss, Oxford, 1981), p.
viii.
23
relevance.135 The principle of state responsibility is reemphaised in the codifications of international
environmental law136 that helps ‘to achieve international standard of justice.’137 Alan Boyle has
characterized that the effort by writing that “it is liable to seem at best a questionable exercise in
reconceptualising an existing body of law, or at worst, a dangerously retrograde step which may
seriously weaken international efforts to secure agreement on effective principles of international
environmental law.”138 Under the state responsibility states are liable for injurious consequences
arising out of acts not prohibited by international law.” Many of them are now viewed with a sense
of urgency that could not have reasonably been expected on the basis of the scientific evidence then
available.139
The principle of state responsibility concerning transboundary interferences are: 140
1. A State is responsible under international law for a breach of an international obligation relating
to the use of a natural resource or the prevention or abatement of an environmental interference.
2. In particular, it shall:
(a) cease the internationally wrongful act;
(b) as far as possible, re-establish the situation which would have existed if
the internationally wrongful act had not taken place;
(c) provide compensation for the harm which results from the internationally
wrongful act;
135 Dr. A. David Ambrose, “Sustainable Development of Natural Resources and Environmental Duties in International
Law”, 4 SBRRM Journal of Law (1997), pp12-38 at 13; Richard Howitt, Rethinking Resource Management, Justice,
Sustainability and Indigenous People, (First Edition, Routledge and Taylor and Francis Group, London and New York,
2001), p. 9; see also Lamont C. Hempel, Environmental Governance, The Global Challenge, Affiliated East-West Press
Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, 1998) p. 56.
136 Malcolm N. Shaw, International Law, (Fifth Edition, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2003) p. 694; Pierre-
Marie Dupuy, “The International Law of State Responsibility: Revolution or Evolution” 11 Michigan Journal of
International Law (1989), pp 105-28; Ginther Handl, “Territorial Sovereignty and the Problem of Transnational
Pollution”, 69 AJIL (1975), pp 50-76 54; Philip Allott, “State Responsibility and the Unmaking International Law” 29
Harv. Int’l Law Journal (1988), pp 1-26.
137 Y. Matsui, “The Transformation of the Law of State Responsibility” in Rene Provost (Edn.,) State Responsibility in
International Law, (Ashgate Dartmouth, London, 2002), pp1-65 at 5; John M. Kelson, “State Responsibility and
Abnormally Dangerous Activities,” 13 Harv. Int’l LJ. (1972), pp 197-244 at 243.
138 Alan Boyle. “State Responsibility and International Liability for injurious Consequences of Acts not prohibited by
International Law: A necessary Distinction”, 39 ICLQ (1990), pp 1-26 at 22.
139 Panjabi, “From Stockholm to Rio: A Comparison of Declaratory Principles of International Environmental Law”,
21 DENVER JILP (1992-1993), pp 215-288 at 245.
140 Supra note 34.

24
(d) where appropriate, give satisfaction for the internationally wrongful act.
This present part also covers the initiatives of the International Law Commission under the state
responsibility to achieve environmental sustainability both for the present and future generations.
WORLD CONSERVATION STRATEGY, 1980

In March 1980, for the first time, Director General, David Munro launched the WCS which was
prepared by IUCN, WWF and the UNEP. WCS was the major attempt to integrate environment and
development concerns into umbrella concept of living resource “conservation”.141 The chief
objective of resource conservation as follows:
• maintenance of essential ecological processes and life support systems;
• preservation of genetic diversity; and
• sustained utilization of species and ecosystem.
• But the WCS did not go deep into the social and political changes needed for the developing
countries to realize these objectives.142
CHARTER FOR NATURE, 1982

The idea of the Charter was mooted in 1975 at the Twelfth General Assembly of the IUCN. The
proposal was accepted and an international group of experts as a code of conduct for managing
natural resources based on the proposition that all human conduct affecting nature must be guided
and judged.143 The Charter for Nature was nearly unambiguously endorsed by the United Nations
General Assembly in 1982.144 The Charter also comes to grips with the problem of global
environmental change by imposing a requirement on states and ultimately their national territories
which are likely to pose significant risk to nature shall be preceded by an exhaustive examination.
The Charter for Nature, a genuine 'moral code of action', acknowledges the interrelatedness of every
form of life, economic, social and political stability and environmental preservation, and
extensively addresses, albeit without expressly referring to it, the idea of sustainable consumption.
141 Supra note 35.
142 N. R. Inamdar, “Sustainable Development: The Concept and Policy Perspectives”, 39 IJPA (1993), pp 372-386 at
375.
143 UNGA, Draft World Charter for Nature Report of the Secretary General, 36th Sess. At 14-15, Agenda item 23, Doc.
A/36/539, (1981), Annex I, Appendix II.
144 Supra note 34.

25
“Lasting benefits from nature depends on the maintenance of essential ecological processes and life
support systems, and on the diversity of life forms, which are jeopardised through excessive
exploitation and habitat destruction by man.”145
NAIROBI DECLARATION, 1982

To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Stockholm Declaration on Human Environment, 105
nations gathered at a meeting held at Nairobi to look at progress from May 10-18, 1982.146 At the
meeting, the decision was taken for the creation of a special commission to propose long-term
environmental strategies for achieving Sustainable Development by the year 2000 and beyond
which was endorsed by the UNEP’s Governing Council.147 The enthusiasms of the developed
countries seemed to be on the wane at Nairobi.148
WORLD COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT, 1987

In 1982, the Experts Group on Environmental Law established by the World Commission on
Environment and Development (herein after referred to WCED) had an easier task than the ILC.149
WCED was held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister of Norway and submitted a report called
“Our Common Future.” The committee formulated a report on legal principles for environmental
protection and sustainable development and for accelerating the development of International Law.
The group produced elements of a draft convention in 1986, setting out clear principles of liability
concerning transboundary interferences. The Report not only elaborated the relation and nexus but
also defined the concept of Sustainable Development and stresses the factor of environmental
degradation causing the violent relationship between the resource management and development
and stresses: “Sustainable Development as a framework for the integration of environment policies
and development strategies in order to assure that growing economies remain firmly attached to
145 Preambular para 4 (a), Supra note 5.
146 Nairobi Déclaration, 37 UN GAOR Supp. (No.25) at 49, UN Doc A/37/25 (1982). The Nairobi Declaration, 18
May 1982, U.N.E.P. Report of the Governing Council 37 U.N. GAOR Annex, 2 Supp. (No. 25) at 49, U.N. Doc. A/
37/25 (1982).
147 Report of the Governing Council of UNEP on its 10th Session, (1982), pp 49-51.
148 Ved Nanda, “Ten years After Stockholm - International Environmental Law”, 77 ASIL Proc. (1983), pp 411-43.
149 Supra note 6.

26
their ecological roots and that these roots are protected and nurtured so that may support growth
over the long term.”150
The whole discussion of the thesis is based on the definition of Our Common Future and the various
principles that are unanimously adopted in various environmental agreements by the UN member
countries at various levels.
CARING FOR THE EARTH, 1991

A Strategy for Sustainable Future was developed by the second world conservation project
comprised of the representatives of the IUCN, UNEP and WWF.151 The central theme of the report
is the application of the principle of Sustainable Development. Caring for the earth represents
current, middle-of-the road thinking on the relationship between conservation and development.
The document also concerns both human rights and the biodiversity and environmental
degradation.152 Specific recommendations of the report include:153
• establishing a constitution commitment to the principles of Sustainable Development;
• establishing a comprehensive system for environmental law, and providing for its implantation
and enforcement;
• reviewing the adequacy of legal and administrative control and of implementation and
enforcement mechanisms;
• making information on the environment more accessible; and

• subjecting projects, programmes and policies to environmental impact assessment.
150 Supra note 7, at 29.
151 Caring for the Earth: A Strategy of Sustainability, 1991, prepared by UNEP, IUCN and WWF, (Gland, Switzerland,
1991).
152 John G. Robinson, “The Limits to Caring: Sustainable Living and the Loss of Biodiversity”, 7 Conservation of
Biology, (1993), pp 20-28.
153 Supra note 151.

27
U N I T E D N AT I O N S C O N V E N T I O N O N E N V I R O N M E N T A N D
DEVELOPMENT, 1992
Amongst the United Nations measures; the Rio Declaration invigorate the tussle and integrate trade,
development and environmental goals. In early 1990s, two parallel Conference on Environment and
Development154 held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from June 3-14, 1992 wherein more than 170
governments participated. Rio Declaration significantly consolidate the interests of developing and
developed states gave a new global commitment and general obligation of states in the field of
environment and conservation of resources. During the Preparatory Committee (Prep Comm)
UNCED’s mission was to put to world on a path of Sustainable Development which aims at
meeting the needs of present and future generation.155 UNCED Secretary General, Maurice Strong
and UN Secretary General Boutrous Ghali each called on states to negotiate a move legally
progressive “Earth Charter”. During the negotiations, one delegate from the developed countries
stated thus: “The Earth Charter should be framed and put in the room of every child of the world”.
Earth Charter produced five documents.156 The 27 principles UNCED is something of a ‘package
deal’ negotiated by consensus that reflects a real consensus to identify agreed norms of North South
compromising guidelines for sustainability. The Rio Declaration has thus been called: “A text of
uneasy compromises, delicately balanced interests, and dimly discernible contradictions, held
together by the interpretative vagueness of classic UN-ese.157 However, none of the principles either
define the Sustainable Development or articulate the mandate in principle 1 of Stockholm
Declaration i.e., the Human Right to a decent environment a fundamental right.
The preamble of the declaration integrates the global environmental and developmental system an
interdependent part of own development. Principle 1 of the declaration describes that, human beings
are at the centre of concerns for Sustainable Development. They are entitled to a healthy and
154 David Freestone, “The Road From Rio : International Environmental Law after the Earth Summit” 6 JEL (1994),
pp 193-218 at 193.
155 For Reports of the Preparatory Committee, see UN Doc, A/Conf.151/PC/L.31, Annex (1991); A/CONF.151/PC/78
(1991); Malanczuk. P, “Sustainable Development: Some Critical Thoughts in the Light of the Rio Conference” in
Ginther, Denters and de Waart (Eds.), Sustainable Development and Good Governance, ( Mrtinus Nijhoff, Dordrecht,
1995), pp 23-43.
156 Supra note 34.
157 Supra note 24, pp 50-51; Sands, P.J. “The New Architecture of International Environmental Law”, 30 RBDI (1997),
pp 512-530; Foo Kim Boon “The Rio Declaration and its Influence on International Environmental Law”, 1992 SJLS
(1992), pp 347-364 at 351.
28
productive life in harmony with nature.158 Environment being the vital source for developmental
activities this principle recognizes the definition of Sustainable Development, and also given more
concentration on the protection of environment.159 Principle 3 of the declaration reemphasise that
the right to development must be fulfilled so as to equitably meet developmental and environmental
needs of present and future generations.160 Principle 4 also in the someway, it state that to achieve
Sustainable Development, environmental protection shall constitute an integral part of the
development process and cannot be considered in isolation from it.161 Considering the applicability
of these principles, experts describe UNCED concentrates strictly on environmental issues.162 On
liability for environmental damage it merely reiterates the need to develop the law.163 Principle 16
of the UNCED describes that commitment of states on economic issues.164 Principle 25 of the
declaration165 emphasizes that peace, development and environmental protection are interdependent
and indivisible. This principle clearly states that the concept of Sustainable Development has
attained the international status. Lastly, it calls for the further development not of international law
relating to the environment but of international law in the field of Sustainable Development.166
Despite these qualifications, it is right to view the Rio Declaration in generally positive terms. It is
much too pessimistic to characterise it as a backward step in the development of international
environmental law.167 On the contrary the declaration has articulated the shared expectations of
developed and developing states and brought together an important body of new and existing law. It
158 Supra note 37.
159 Principle 12 Declares State should cooperate to promote a supportive and open international economic system that
would lead to economic growth and Sustainable Development in all countries, to better address the problems of
environmental degradation. Trade policy measures for environmental purposes should not constitute a means of
arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination or a disguised restriction on international trade. Unilateral actions o deal with
environmental challenges outside the jurisdiction of the importing country should be avoided. Environmental measures
addressing transboundary or global problems, should, as far as possible be used on an international consensus.
160 Supra note 37
161Ibid.
162 Supra note 57
163 Principle 13, Supra note 37.
164 Marc Pallemarts, “International Environmental Law From Stockholm to Rio: Back to the Future” in Sands (Edn.),
Greening International Law”, 29 GEO. LR (1995), pp 254-279 at 261.
165 Supra note 37
166 ibid.
167 Richards and Hahn, “The Internationalization of Environmental Regulation”, 30 Harv. ILJ. (1989) pp at 421.
29
does not deal with environmental crimes.168 The MEAs and MTAs adopted prior to and at UNCED
reflect the growing range of economic activities which are a legitimate concern of international
community and subject to international regulation.169 UNCED agreed priorities could be divided
into two categories.
a) Those relating to protection of various environmental media, and
b) Those relating to regulation of particular activities or products.
For both categories the international legal issues are complex and cannot be addressed without
taking into account political, cultural, economic and scientific concerns.170 UNCED and Agenda 21
was reviewed to build upon a strategy to harmonise the various economic, social and environmental
policies and plans for the benefit of future generations.171 The Strategy was build upon and
harmonize Collection of improved information, analysis and dissemination of data and calls for
international cooperation172 is needed to interpret the treaty obligation through the Earth Watch
programme of the UNEP. It should be developed through widest possible participation.173 The Rio
Conference helped establish the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (herein
after referred to UNCSD) and reaffirmed the role of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), thus
widening the organizational basis for the Environment and Sustainable Development within the
United Nations System.174
168 See. Gen. Bowett, in McDonald and Johnston, The Structure and process of International Law Dordrecht, (1983),
pp 46-51; Dr. A. David Ambrose, “Green Crimes Need Red Signal”, 23 The Year Book of Legal Studies (2000), pp
21-34 at 22; Supra note 24, p. 329.
169 SandP.“UNCED and the Development of International Environmental Law”3YbIEL(1992),pp3-17at 6.
170 Dinah Shelton, “Human Rights, Environmental Rights and Right to the Environment” 28 Stand. J. Int’l L. (1991)
pp 103-138 at 104; See also J. B. Ruhl, “Sustainable Development: A Five Dimensional Algorithm for Environmental
Law” 18 Stand. J. Int’l L. (1999) pp 31-64.
171 Supra note 37
172 ibid.
173 ibid.
174 UNGA Res. 47/191 (1992). See Osborn and Bigg, Earth Summit II: Outcomes and Analysis, (London, 1998), p.
60.
30
WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, 2002
In 2002, the WSSD was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly to strengthen the global
commitment of the UNCED. The Conference held at Johannesburg from 26 August to 4 September
2002.175 This summit also stresses the mandate for national policies to implement Agenda 21 of
UNCED and remove obstacle for achieving Sustainable Development.176 The conference adopts
two documents,177 such as the Johannesburg Declaration and the plan of Implementation. However,
WSSD does not provide a succinct definition of the concept of Sustainable Development. The
declaration makes the link with the three pillars of Sustainable Development.178 Poverty is primary
factor of ecological degradation179 WSSD prescribes method and means to eradicate poverty,
consumption and production patterns and manage the natural resource which is the greatest global
challenge.180 The World Development Report 2006 also describes greater equity does not guarantee
less poverty.181 However, from a multilateral perspective, it is quite difficult to require countries
within jurisdiction, which necessitates international cooperation. Peace, security, stability and
respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms are deemed to be essential for achieving
Sustainable Development.182
175 See UNGA Res. 55/1999; Report of the World Commission on Sustainable Development, Sep. 2002, U. N. Doc. A/
CONF. 199/20.; See also Johannesburg Declaration, in Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, 26
August to September 2002, UN Doc. A/AC. 257/32 at 5.
176 Lee Kimball, Franz Xaver Perrez and Jacob Werksman, “The Results of the World Summit on Sustainable
Development: Targets, Institutions and Trade Implementation”, 13 YbIEL (2002), pp 3-19 at 13.
177 Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, 26 August to September 2002 http://
www.Johannesburgsummit.org/html/documents/summit_docs/2309_planfinal.pdf last visited on 24.03.2020
178 Supra note 172; See also Dominic McGoldrick, “Sustainable Development and Human Rights: An Integrated
Conception”, 45 ICLQ (1996), pp 796-818 at 801; See gen Jane Holder and Maria Lee, Environmental Protection, Law
and Policy - Text and Materials, (Second Edition, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2007), p.237.
179 Edith Brown Weis, “Global Environmental Change, and International Law: The Introductory Framework”, in Edith
Brown Weiss (Edn.,) Ch 1.
180 G. Mayeda, “Where Should Johannesburg Take Us? Ethical and Legal Approaches to Sustainable Development in
the Context of International Environmental Law”, 15 Colo. J. Int’l Envt’l L & Pol’y (2004), pp 29-69; Kevin R. Gray,
World Summit on Sustainable Development: Accomplishments and New Directions, 52 ICLQ (2003), pp 256-268 at
262; H. C. Bugge and L. Walters, “ A Perspective on Sustainable Development After Johannesburg on the Fifteenth
Anniversary of Our Common Future: An Introduction with Gro Harfern Brundtland” 15 Geo. Int’l Envt’l L. Rev.
(2003), pp 359-66.
181 “Why Growth Requires Greater Equity”, The Economic Times, 23 December (2005), Chennai Edition.
182 Principle 25, Supra note 37; Charlotte Streck, “The World Summit on Sustainable Development: Partnerships as
New Tools in Environmental Governance” 13 YbIEL (2002), pp 63-95; World Conference on Human Rights, June
14-25, 1993, Vienna Declaration and Programme for Action, UN Doc. A/CONF.157/23, (July, 1993).
31
It must be mentioned that the UN and its specialized Agencies have elaborated and concluded under
their auspices more than 150 conventions and treaties on the environment and resource
management. This magnificent development of the treaty law on environment manifests a great
achievement of the UN system on the International Environment Law. This great progress has
specifically been achieved by great efforts and contribution and collaboration of UNEP, UNCED
and other UN Organisation which coordinated their efforts with the UN in developing international
environmental law. It is necessary to mention the role of the UNEP, as it carried the great burden of
the work which has been accomplished by the UN and thus contributed to the development of
environmental science, law, study, international cooperation, planning and drawing international
environmental strategy. The newly emerging security concerns have been characterized as non-
traditional, and are now considered a major component of what is christened as comprehensive
security. Among these emerging problems replacing the threat of East-West ideological divide,
military aggression and struggle for global preponderance is the global environmental crisis. It
looms large in terms of global warming, sea level rise, acid rain, greenhouse effect, diminishing
capacity of the agricultural system, depletion of earth’s finite resources, punching holes in the ozone
layer, and biodiversity loss. MEAs incorporates both the positive and negative elements.183
• The positive elements are:

1. Stimulation of awareness of issues affecting all or most nations;
2. Opportunity for arising grievances and revealing hidden tension, and
3. Obtaining agreement among nation-states sufficient to afford a basis for
cooperative action, including research and institutional arrangements.
• Negative elements are;
1. Opportunities for inflammatory rhetoric and distortion of issues for purpose of propaganda;
2. Tendency to compromise issues to a point of inaction; and
3. Uncertainty regarding the ability of government to honor conferences
commitments.
183 Lynton Keith Caldwell, “International Environmental Policy: Emergence and Dimensions” in Robert V. Pervical
and Dorothy C. Alevizatos (Eds.,) Law and the Environment, A Multidisciplinary Reader, (Temple University Press,
Philadelphia, 1997), pp 367-372 at. 367.
32
UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT,
2012
In 2012, realising the need of harmonization of trade and developmental polices for the effective
conservation of resources in the Mother Earth the Future we want was adopted.184 The United
Nations Convention of Sustainable Development was held from 20 to 22 June 2012 at Rio De
Jenerio. There are more than 200 states were actively participated. In fact at Rio, there are strategic
plans are adopted. However, for the purpose of this research the Future we want only analysed in
detail. Future we want recalled the UNGA Resolutions and emphasise that mandate of the state to
incorporate environmental principles and in their trade and developmental polices to achieve the
Millennium Developmental Goals.185 The Convention also emphasizes need for integrating the
three dimensions of sustainable development186 including the inclusive and people centred growth
by involving and benefitting all people.187 The Convention also remarkably emphasise the mandate
of Preamble of the WTO and covered agreements of the WTO.188 This has seriously raised a doubt
that whether the concept of Sustainable Development is mandatory or obligatory. Realising status of
the concept; the various legal elements of the concept of Sustainable Development is analysed in
detail.
SOFT LAW
To save the generations form environmental deterioration in the Mother Earth; there are sizeable
literatures including judicial contribution has been burgeoning. It is understood, the very
prominence of the concept of Sustainable Development is recognized in various multilateral
environmental and trade agreements. Some of the agreements, declaration, convention and treaties
are mixing with binding and non-binding governing principles.189 In fact, the term soft law has no
clear-cut definition in international law. However, it raises a serious doubt about the binding aspects
184 UN GA Res. 66/288, 11 September, 2012, available at sustainabledevelopment.un.org/rio20.html, last visited on

26.03.2020.
185 UN GA Res. 64/236, 9 December 2009; 66/197, 22 December, 2011, Para 37, UN GA Res. 66/288, 11 September,
2012.
186 Supra note 181.
187 Supra note 181.
188 ibid.
189 Helsinki Declaration on the Protection of the Ozone Layer, May 2, 1989, reprinted in 28 ILM 1335 (1989) and
Montreal Protocol, reprinted in 30 ILM 537 (1991).
33
of the documents and concern with whether the governing principle of Sustainable Development is
obligatory or discretionary? The enforceability and binding can be drawn from custom or treaties.
There is serious doubt about the bindingness of the concept of Sustainable Development to the
effect of conservation of resources. The traditional international law remarks that responsibility of
state to take appropriate measure both in precaution as well as to provide remedy to that pollution.
These factors are also often proved with state practice before it hardens to legally enforceable. It is
interesting to note that to decide applicability and legal status of custom in international arena, the
norms represent will become binding upon all countries, whether or not they are party to the
relevant agreement?
Considering the mandate of the state in effective conservation of resources it is need of the hour to
discard the political options of the states in protecting the common property. Adaptation of the
Resolutions, Conventions and Declarations is a remarkable step to combine the political decision
with legal enforceability. These UN initiatives on Sustainable Development also considered as a
prime catalyst in compelling the states to adopt appropriate national polices to conserve the
resources for the present and future generations. There are also weaknesses in adopting the UN-ease
measures. The process for adoption of make take long time. When there is a specific commitment
on states the states may shy away from the specificity they often involve. This can also alter the
circumstances in which an issue is considered. Soft law provisions that create no immediately
legally binding obligations have emerged as tools to formulate societal values and express
consensus.190 It may, however, be used to categories those ambiguous obligations found in binding
international agreement. It may also be used for those non-binding standards of conduct found in
declaration, resolutions and other non-binding instruments. Resort to soft law leaves large amounts
of discretion to states. Above all, recognizing the equity, the Earth Charter is the key document
remarkably incorporating the legal elements both are soft and hard law. The concept of Sustainable
Development can be analysed and interpreted on the basis of equity rather than on legal obligation.
190 Alexandre Kiss, “Human Rights System as a Conceptual Framework for Environmental Law”, in Edith Brown
Weiss (Edn.,) Environmental Change and International Law: New Challenges and Dimensions, (United Nations
University Press, Tokyo, 1992), Ch 8.
34
CONCLUSION
From the analysis of the customary and modern international, such as, the MEAs it is concluded
that the Concept of Sustainable Development is a buzz word. Prominence of the traditional
international law describes that no activities of a sovereign state should not make transboundary
pollution, sic utero tuo non lades. The remarkable contributions of the Judiciary also emphasises
that the state practice and opinion juris also reiterates that environmental protection is a part of
customary international law. The concept of Sustainable Development links the social, economic,
environmental rights both for the present and future generations. Environmental security dimension
mandates that national policy maker to make appropriate policy for the effective conservation of
resources both for the present and future generations. Although, the definition for the concept of
Sustainable Development is not precise and clear; the modern international law transformed the
practice among states in the form of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs). Rio
Declaration, in its various legal elements, mandate national governments to make appropriate
measures the need for effective conservation of resources both for the benefit of present and future
generations at all level. Since, these MEAs imposes only obligation still there are serious doubt
regarding the bindingness of the concept of Sustainable Development. This can be realized only
with the effective acceptance and recognition of the national legislation and polices.
35

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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT : CHANGING DIMENSIONS

6.4: ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS-I

VI SEMESTER, III YEAR

ACADEMIC YEAR: 2019-2020

NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY, NAGPUR

MEANING AND DEFINITION 3

DIMENSIONS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT - 9

ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT - 12

CUSTOMARY INTERNATIONAL LAW AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION - 15

MODERN INTERNATIONAL LAW ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION - 17

UNITED NATION CONVENTION ON HUMAN ENVIRONMENT - 20

MODERN INTERNATIONAL LAW ON ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION - 23

WORLD CONSERVATION STRATEGY, 1980 25

CHARTER FOR NATURE, 1982 25

NAIROBI DECLARATION, 1982 26

WORLD COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT, 1987 26

CARING FOR THE EARTH, 1991 27

UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT, 1992 28

WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, 2002 31

UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, 2012 33

22 Supra note 11.

35 UN GA Res. 66/288, 11 September, 2012, available at sustainabledevelopment.un.org/rio20.html, last visited on

ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT -

66 PCIJ Ser, A. No. 23, 10th December, 1929.

67 PCIJ Ser. A/B, No. 70 28th June 1937.

70 Lake Lanoux Arbitration, 12 R Int’l Arb. Awards. (1957), 281.

72 16 ILM 242 (1976).

MODERN INTERNATIONAL LAW ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION -

90 Principle 13 and Principle 22, Supra note 34.

92 161 U.N.T.S. 72.

96 327 U.N.T.S. 3; 11 ILM 284 (1972).

97 12 May 1954, in force 26 July 1958, 327 U.N.T.S. 3

98 30 ILM 733 (1990).

99 UKTS (1976) 43, 11 ILM 1295 (1972)

102 UN Doc. A/AC. 237/18 (Part II); 31 ILM 849 (1992).

103 UN Doc. UNEP Bio. Div/N7-INC. 5/4; 31 ILM 822 (1992).

104 UN. Doc. A/AC. 241/15/Rev. 3 ; 33 ILM 1332 (1994).

107 31 ILM 1330 (1992) and 32 ILM 1228 (1993).

108 11 ILM 963 (1973).

UNITED NATION CONVENTION ON HUMAN ENVIRONMENT -

113 Supra note37.

119 Supra note 34.

127 Supra note 34.

MODERN INTERNATIONAL LAW ON ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION -

140 Supra note 34.

WORLD CONSERVATION STRATEGY, 1980

CHARTER FOR NATURE, 1982

141 Supra note 35.

144 Supra note 34.

NAIROBI DECLARATION, 1982

WORLD COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT, 1987

145 Preambular para 4 (a), Supra note 5.

149 Supra note 6.

CARING FOR THE EARTH, 1991

• making information on the environment more accessible; and

150 Supra note 7, at 29.

153 Supra note 151.

156 Supra note 34.

158 Supra note 37.

160 Supra note 37

162 Supra note 57

163 Principle 13, Supra note 37.

165 Supra note 37