1st Edition

The Principle of Sustainability Transforming Law and Governance

By Klaus Bosselmann Copyright 2008

    This book investigates how sustainability informs the universal principles used in domestic and international law. It calls for the acceptance of sustainability as a recognized legal principle which could be applied to the entire legal system rather than just environmental law and regardless of its international or domestic levels. To this end, the book makes a contribution to a theory of global law by discussing whether, as a universally shared concern, environmental protection and the principle of sustainability should contribute to the 'greening' of the fundamental principles of law and governance. The book will be a valuable resource for students, researchers and policy makers working in the areas of environmental law and governance.

    Foreword; Acknowledgments; Introduction; Chapter 1 The Meaning of Sustainability; Chapter 2 The Principle of Sustainability; Chapter 3 Ecological Justice; Chapter 4 Ecological Human Rights; Chapter 5 The State as Environmental Trustee; Chapter 6 Governance for Sustainability;

    Biography

    Klaus Wiliams

    Professor Klaus Bosselmann has been awarded the first annual scholarship Award as Best Researcher in the category of Environmental Law Academic with more than 10 years experience from the IUCN Academy of Environmental Law. 'This book is a powerful statement of the need to replace environmental governance with governance for social and ecological sustainability. Sceptical of the capacity of governments to turn sustainability into a principle of international law without a push, the author argues that ecological citizens in civil society are the most likely sources of real change.' Andrew Dobson, Keele University, UK 'Klaus Bosselmann's book is deeply thought-provoking and should be read by all scholars and students of environmental law, as the debate on sustainability and its governance is definitely not over. His book makes a valuable contribution to some of the most urgent issues facing humankind, and offers a fresh perspective to the prevailing, often tired debates about sustainable development.' Human Rights and the Environment '...this book repays close reading, and re-reading, offering as it does both source of inspiration and valued resource for both research and teaching.' Journal of Environmental Law