On the Principle of Sustainable Development and International Law

Authors: Zhang Rui

Abstract:

The traditional principle of international law based on the sovereign equality of states reflects the structure and reality of the international community, but it cannot be used as the only criterion for consolidating the rules of international law and the concept of the rule of law in international law. Unlike similar principles of international law that have been widely recognized in the international community in the past as a developing basic principle of international law, the principle of sustainable development is not a specific legal obligation in contemporary international law, but it does indicate a goal that can affect the outcome of cases, the interpretation of treaties, the practice of states and international organizations, and it may also lead to major changes and developments in existing laws. In this sense, international law should indeed require states and international organizations to consider the goal of sustainable development and establish appropriate procedures to achieve this goal.

Keywords: international law, sustainable development, environmental legislation, sovereign equality