ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book examines some of the most important legally non-binding international instruments adopted under the auspices of the UN that have contributed to the development and codification of fundamental principles of international environmental law and sustainable development. The major UN conference on environment and development was held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. It led to the adoption of the Rio Declaration, an instrument that has had a significant impact on the development and codification of international environmental law. The most recent global conference on sustainable development was the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) convened in Johannesburg in 2002, which aimed to conduct a ten-year review of UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) and its commitments. The Summit concluded its proceedings with the formal adoption by consensus of two political documents, namely the Johannesburg Declaration and a 70-page Plan of Implementation.
