Enforcing Environmental Norms: Diplomatic and Judicial Approaches

In the space of one generation, through both national and international agreements, nations have established norms and a framework for environmental stewardship of the Earth. One sign of the acceptance and maturation of environmental norms is that nations now worry about how to enforce environmental law and how to achieve compliance. Enforcement of environmental laws is essential to attaining the international objective of sustainable development. To be effective, this enforcement must be routine, reasonably resourced and predictable-an arduous challenge.

In order to build a sustainable global community, the nations of the world must renew their commitment to the United Nations, fulfill their obligations under existing international agreements and support the implementation of the Earth Charter principles with an international legally binding instrument on environment and development.