ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on European Community (EC) Treaty that makes reference to a number of objectives and principles which are of relevance to the policy and law-making process. In June 1992 the world's Heads of State met in Brazil at the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) and inter alia adopted the so-called "Rio Declaration". The EC proved an active participant at UNCED and is a signatory to the Rio Declaration. Key elements of sustainable development include the notion of sustainable utilisation which is akin to one of the objectives of the EC's environmental policy, namely the "prudent and rational utilisation of natural resources". The concept of sustainable development in the Rio Declaration additionally supports the notion of meeting needs within the present generation whilst giving due consideration to the needs of future generations. The EC Treaty includes a number of general principles which offer guidance to the development of policy.
