1. Sustainable development
Environmental, economic and social elements
The focus on long term development and future generations, as well as equity
From sovereignty to trusteeship (US argument in Fur Seals)?
Development of erga omnes elements?
Objective rather than principle?
Shared objective across an increasing range of instruments
Coordinating effect?
A broad variety of formulations
The role of Agenda 21, CSD and the Johannesburg Summit
Common but differentiated responsibility, Rio Declaration princ. 7
To what extent reflected in treaties?
The current debate over climate change
The duty to co-operate – unilateralism

2. Precaution and prevention
”Tragedy of the commons” and ”critical load”
The problem of uncertainty
Precaution vs. benefit-cost analyses
An obligation to act?
Principle 15 of the Rio Declaration
Draft Articles on Prevention – procedural obligations?
A right to act?
The interface between environment and trade
Is precaution as a principle being replaced by procedural approaches based on risk assessment?

3. Reparation of environmental damage
Facilitative vs. confrontational approaches
State responsibility vs. Liability
Compensation without violation?
State liability vs. civil liability
Insurance, funds and the limitation of liability

4. Air pollution Framework conventions and subsequent protocols Trends
Global: Climate change and ozone layer
Regional: The European system on long-range transboundary air pollution
The role of customary law
Trends
From specific obligations related to emissions of specific pollutants towards diffuse problems related to a variety of pollutants
Development of standards and technical rules
Reduced emphasis on common but differentiated responsibilities?
Increasing use of compliance mechanisms
The fundamental effects of the climate regime

5. Biodiversity
One general treaty and a broad range of more specific treaties
Convention on Biological Diversity – a framework convention?
Issue-specific treaties: Migratory species, wetlands, species
Measure-specific treaties: CITES, biosafety
Emphasis on coordination and harmonisation of domestic measures
Fragmented area
Internal fragmentation and interaction with other areas
Extensive use of general and specific soft law instruments
In general: facilitative approaches to implementation and compliance

6. Hazardous products and waste
Examples: Nuclear, GMOs, POPs, chemicals, hazardous wastes, hazardous and noxious substances
The link to international trade
Conflicts and coordination
The principle of ”prior informed consent”
Establishment of ”clearing houses” for relevant information
Harmonisation of domestic policies
Permits to market products and labelling requirements
The issue of civil liability
Facilitative approaches to implementation and compliance(?)