This second edition of Philippe Sand's leading textbook on international environmental law provides a clear and authoritative introduction to the subject, revised to December 2002. It considers relevant new topics, including the Kyoto Protocol, genetically modified organisms, oil pollution, chemicals etc. and will remain the most comprehensive account of the principles and rules relating to environmental protection and the conservation of natural resources. In addition to the key material from the 1992 Rio Declaration and subsequent developments, Sands also covers topics including the legal and institutional framework, the field's historic development and standards for general application. This will continue to be an invaluable resource for both students and practitioners alike.

‘Philippe Sands has gone beyond his stated aim. The book provides not only a comprehensive overview of present-day international environmental law as well as that of the European Union. The book also systematises and conceptualises this relatively young branch of public international law …’.

Prof. Jost Delbruck Source: German Yearbook of International Law

‘A pioneering work which will serve as a milestone in the development of international environmental law. It will be useful to the legal academic, practitioner or even natural scientist or environmentalist requiring a first reference to a particular aspect of this vast field … It is predicted that this book will be the leader in the international environmental law field well into the new millennium.’

Prof. Jan Glazewski Source: South African Law Journal

‘Idealists will appreciate the strong sense of commitment to the underlying purposes of international environmental protection measures which permeates the treatment of the issues. Realists will welcome the clear appreciation of the difficulties in achievement of those purposes. Lawyers will come to rely on the wealth of material made readily available from the author’s depth of learning.’

Robert McCracken Source: Journal of Planning and Environment Law

‘This book is more than just a comprehensive reference work. It is a wide-ranging, comprehensive publication that challenges the individual to demand international cooperation and requires the legal practitioner to look beyond his own national boundaries.’

Michael Elston Source: TOXCAT

'… this edition contains so much new, updated material that it is fair to say it is almost a new publication … an admirably lucid manner … the book is highly recommended for everybody who has an interest in international environmental law. It is an accessible publication, very well structured, informative and well written; and every chapter also contains a very useful bibliography.'

Source: Environmental Liability

'… Professor Sands not only relies on a full command of the subject of international environmental law, but also confirms his capability to convey to the reader both information and ideas.'

Source: Journal of Environmental Law