In a remarkably short time "sustainable development" has become firmly established in international law. The World Commission on Environment and Development concisely defined this concept as: "development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs". This definition combines inter-generational equity with an awareness of the finite capacity of the earth and its natural resources.<BR>This book brings together a collection of lectures given at the Hague Academy of International Law. The aim of the book is threefold: firstly, to review the genesis, clarify the meaning and assess the status of sustainable development within international law; secondly, to examine the legal principles that have emerged in the pursuit of sustainable development; and finally, to assess to what extent the current state of law demonstrates a balance between and integration of all relevant fields of international law as urged by the Rio, Johannesburg and World Summit documents.