In the mid-1980s, the IUCN Commission on Environmental Law, in consultation with leading experts from around the world, began to respond to a need later identified by Agenda 21 : the preparation of an integrated framework for international environmental law. It did so by elaborating a draft legally-binding global agreement on environmental conservation and sustainable development, in which both codification of existing rules as well as progressive development of the law play important roles. The result is this draft covenant. Published along with a comprehensive legal commentary, this document is intended to be a starting point for debate and consideration, by providing expert opinion on the possible content of such an instrument.