Taking an integrated approach to environmental protection in national laws

This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities.

Agenda 21 recommends that governments should include an integrated approach to environmental protection, in national planning and legislation, driven by prevention and source reduction criteria and taking into account the polluter-pays principle.