Sustainable development and International Environmental Law

Sustainable development has been defined as development that meets the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. As we know
human wants are unlimited but resources available on the earth is limited, sustainable
development relates to maximum utilization of resources to satisfy the human needs not
human wants and preserves some resources for next generation to satisfy their needs or
maintain standard of life at least as well as the current generation.

Strategies for sustainable development:-

1. Replenishment of Resources
2. Equitable use of Resources across generations
3. Environment Protection
4. Conservation of Biological Diversity
5. Use of efficient techniques.
6. Use of Eco-friendly Technologies
7. Use of Environment friendly Sources of Energy
8. Development of Organic Farming
9. Setting Air- Quality Standards
10. Develop devices which reduce Air Pollution
11. Improve Public means of transport
12. Increasing Public Awareness etc.

The development of a country based on their economic development. Economic development

is an evolving concept. As the world changed, the concept of economic development also
enlarged. Till
1960s, Country economic development based on increasing in income, subsequently in the
decades of 70s(1970s) the concept evolved in addition to income, eradicating poverty,
decreasing income inequality, and reducing unemployment.

The concept of sustainable development comes into prominence with the report of the World
Commission of Environment and Development in 1987. Sustainable development looks at the
issue of economic development at larger perspective it correlates balance between the interest
of present generation and future generation. The concept of sustainable development
emphasised on increasing use of renewable resources like solar energy etc and rational use of
non - renewable resources such as petroleum products. In a short, sustainable development is
a way for people to use resources without the resources running out.

In 1990, The United Nation Development Programme published its first Human
Development report with new concept of economic development. It considers economic
development as much more than increases in Income by taking three dimensions of quality of
life - health, education, and income. They started to talk about sustainable economic
development as opposed to simple economic development and they realized that economic
development in the past has resulted in depletion of natural resources and pollution in our
environment.

As far as I know, India is a first Country that includes law related to environment in the
constitutional law in various Articles.

E.g. Article 21: The apex court interpreted that Right to Life and Personal Liberty include the
right to wholesome environment.

Article 48-A: Protection and Improvement of environment and safeguarding of forest and
wild life.

Some important Convention, Treaties or International move towards sustainable

development and environment protection are as fallow-

1. Stockholm Conference, 1972: - The conference is considered as marking the birth of

international environmental policy.
 Principles of the conference:-

• Natural resources must be safeguarded.

• The Earth’s capacity to produce renewable resources must be maintained.
• Wildlife must be safeguarded.
• Non-renewable resources must be shared and not exhausted.etc.

Outcome of the conference:-

• Establishment of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

• A number of organizations are established.

• Development of Environmental conventions.etc.

2. Rio de Janeiro Conference 1992:- United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development on sustainable development has been held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.
The Rio Conference came 20 years after Stockholm Conference.
 Objective of this conference to establish new equitable global partnerships among
States and sectors of societies, to work towards international agreements for
recognizing the integral and interdependent nature of the Earth, our home”
 Some Important Principles:-
 Human beings are at the Centre of concerns for sustainable development. They are
entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature.
 The right to development must be fulfilled so as to equitably meet developmental and
environmental needs of present and future generations.
 To achieve sustainable development, environmental protection shall constitute an
integral part of the development process and cannot be considered in isolation from it.
 In order to protect the environment, the precautionary approach shall be widely
applied.
 Polluter should bear the cost of pollution.
 States have responsibility to protect the environment.etc.
Outcome of the conference:-
• Concept of ‘sustainable development’ had a strong influence on subsequent
international agreements and documents. Like Cairo agenda on population (1994),
Social Summit outcome (1995)
• Creation of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development.
3. Johannesburg Conference 2002:- World Summit on Sustainable Development was
held in Johannesburg, South Africa, with the goal of reaffirm our commitment to
sustainable development via social, economical and Environmental development. It is
also known as Rio+10.
 Objectives of the conference to speedily increase access to basic requirements of
human being.
 Outcome of Conference: - The Millennium Development Goals were agreed to reach
consensus on working to achieve eight critical economic and social development
priorities by 2015, but as of 2013, the progress towards the goals was uneven. Some
Countries achieved many goals, while other were not on track to realize any.
4. Rio + 20, 2012:- It implements Principles adopted in Rio Conference on sustainable
development. It reaffirms the purpose of Rio+10 with addition of other goals.
 Result of the Conference:-
The United Nation Officially adopted a new set of global goals to combat poverty,
inequality and climate change over the next 15 years. It is termed as Sustainable
Development Goals. It is a most comprehensive International effort ever. The SDGs
 are a set of 17 goals which aims to solve global social, economical, and environmental
problem.
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are as fallow:-
1. No Poverty - End poverty in all its forms everywhere
2. Zero Hunger - End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote
sustainable agriculture
3. Good Health and Well-being - Ensure healthy lives and promote well- being for all at
all ages
4. Quality Education - Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote
lifelong learning
5. Gender Equality - Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
6. Clean Water and Sanitation - Ensure access to water and sanitation for all
7. Affordable and Clean Energy - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and
modern energy for all
8. Decent work and Economic Growth - Promote inclusive and sustainable economic
growth, employment and decent work for all
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure - Build resilient infrastructure, promote
sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
10. Reduced Inequalities - Reduce inequality within and among countries
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities - Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and
sustainable
12. Responsible Consumption and Production - Ensure sustainable consumption and
production patterns
13. Climate Action - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
14. Life Below Water - Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine
resources
15. Life on Land - Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse
land degradation, halt biodiversity loss
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions - Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies
17. Partnerships for the Goals - Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable
development.