This work is the outcome of the global consultation on the development and enforcement of international environmental law, with a special focus on the preservation of biological diversity. It presents a list of recommendations and conclusions drafted by international experts.

This book is the outcome of the global consultation on the development and enforcement of international environmental law, with a special focus on the preservation of biological diversity. More than 250 experts on international environmental law and representatives of the global environmental movement collaborated in the drafting of a list of recommendations and conclusions. This list was then communicated to the delegates at the Third Preparatory Committee meeting for the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.

Part 1 International environment law and the preservation of biodiversity: cultural diversity and biological diversity
global strategies for the preservation of biodiversity
elements of a global strategy for the preservation of biodiversity
the capacity of developing countries to preserve biodiversity
legal mechanisms for financial support for biodiversity conservation
economic sanctions for environmental destruction
a legal framework for a global biodiversity strategy
a global convention for the preservation of biodiversity
what kind of convention?
the most important elements of a biodiversity convention. Part 2 The effectiveness of international environmental law: necessary developments in the international environmental law system
the principle of national sovereignty
customary law and general principles of law with relevance for biodiversity
the common heritage principle and the world heritage principle
the human right to a clean environment
international crimes against the environment in general and biodiversity in particular
the status of customary international law
an environmental covenant
the enforcement of international environmental law in general
the effectiveness of enforcement mechanisms in existing legal instruments for the preservation of biodiversity. Part 3 Institutional change and the effectiveness of international law: institutional change
institutional change and the settlement of disputes
regional institutions. Part 4 The role of NGOs in the effectiveness of international environmental law: the role of NGOs in the development of international environmental law
the role of NGOs in international procedures for the enforcement of international law
the role of national courts in the enforcement of international environmental law
NGOs and legal standing. Part 5 The Hague recommenations on international environmental law.