Sustainable development is the contemporary philosophy that is dominating the environmental protection movement. At a United Nations Conference in Johannesburg in 2002, sustainable development was defined as development that "promote[s] the integration of economic development, social development and environmental protection—as interdependent and mutually reinforcing pillars." Sustainable Development: Towards a Judicial Interpretation examines the contribution of certain key aspects of environmental protection associated with the philosophy of sustainable development that has emerged in international, regional and national law including the right to a healthy environment. Topics include inter-generational equity, intra-generational equity, public participation in the developmental process, proper assessment of economic activities, the need for proper information, the precautionary principle, the polluter-pays principle, and access to justice.

Presenting a succinct examination of international, regional and national legal regimes that provide a basis for supporting environmental protection in the global community through sustainable development, this book will be indispensible to legal practitioners, scholars and students interested in environmental law.