In fairness to our children: international law and intergenerational equity

Abstract

Children are the first embodiment of the interests of future generations. Every gen eration receives the environment in trust from previous generations with obligations as trustees to protect it for future generations, and rights as a beneficiary to use it. Children have intergenerational rights to a robust environment in which we preserve options for them and protect the quality of such shared resources as air, water, and soil. While sustainable development is inherently intergenerational, we need to de velop further the normative framework for protecting the environmental interest of children and through them the interest of future generations.