Practice question
A State invokes sustainable development to disregard an express environmental obligation, claiming the concept is a free-standing exemption. Counsel cites the ICJ2025 main opinion's treatment of sustainable development as guiding interpretation and determination of relevant rules. Which conclusion is sound?
- The concept automatically terminates every environmental treaty.
- A development label suspends all duties.
- A guiding principle is not a blanket authorization to ignore the applicable obligation.
- Sustainable development concerns only private contracts.
- The concept applies only when no human needs exist.
Legal references
- Rio Declaration (1992), Principles1,3–5 and15: https://www.cbd.int/doc/ref/rio-declaration.shtml
- ICJ, Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change, Advisory Opinion, July23 2025, main opinion, paragraphs147–158 and precaution discussion: https://icj-web.leman.un-icc.cloud/sites/default/files/case-related/187/187-20250723-adv-01-00-en.pdf
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