Ryzhenkov A.Ja. Principle of Sustainable Development in International Environmental Law: Trends and Prospects
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15688/lc.jvolsu.2025.3.10
Anatoly Ja. Ryzhenkov, Doctor of Sciences (Jurisprudence), Professor, Department of Civil Law and Procedure, Kalmyk State University, Pushkina St, 11, 358000 Elista, Russian Federation, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2015-1709
Introduction: the principle of sustainable development occupies a central place in international environmental law today, reflecting the desire of the world community to balance economic needs with environmental protection, as well as social objectives. The concept of “sustainable development” was formulated in the mid-1980s in a report by the United Nations International Commission on Environment and Development, chaired by G.H. Brundtland. After the official appearance of this concept in 1987, its integration into international treaties and declarations began. However, despite its widespread acceptance, a number of questions remain open, including whether sustainable development can be considered an independent principle of international environmental law. Methods: the methodological framework for the research consists of both the general scientific and special methods of scientific cognition. The general scientific methods include dialectical, formal-logical, the method of analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, the structural-functional method. The special methods include historical-legal, comparative law, formal-legal, and the method of legal modeling. Results: the content of the principle of sustainable development means the obligation to pursue a policy that would meet human needs and improve the quality of life, without destroying the natural foundation that people’s lives depend on, and ensuring the rights and interests of both current and future generations. This is an extremely broad formula, so the principle is specified through narrower rules (on harm prevention, on EIA, on access to information, on emission quotas, etc.). However, since this principle is dynamic, its content evolves as new challenges arise. Conclusions: in the system of IEL principles, the principle under study occupies a special position. It provides a link between the fundamental goals of development, nature conservation and human well-being. The content of the principle of sustainable development is revealed through the specific responsibilities of the state: to integrate environmental requirements into development, to take into account the interests of future generations, and to use resources efficiently. Sustainable development is a process that requires everyone’s participation – Governments, business, and civil society – in order to achieve synergy between the economy, society, and the environment.
Key words: principle, international environmental law, declaration, UN, sustainable development, future generations, environment.
Citation. Ryzhenkov A.Ja. Principle of Sustainable Development in International Environmental Law: Trends and Prospects. Legal Concept = Pravovaya paradigma, 2025, vol. 24, no. 3, pp. 87-95. (in Russian). DOI: https://doi.org/10.15688/lc.jvolsu.2025.3.10
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