This book helps track developments in natural resources legislation from the perspective of international sustainable development principles. It seeks to reflect up-to-date trends and thinking in natural resources governance, enhance the knowledge base in this field, and offer general guidance to countries in the regulation of their natural resources.Influenced by international trends, as well as in response to population, climate, resource and development needs, the standards, norms, mechanisms and incentives in natural resources law at the national level have evolved in recent years. Natural resources laws are influenced by developments in the international arena, either through international treaties that are binding or through "soft law".This publication encompasses a broad range of natural resource sectors, including water, land, forestry, fisheries, mining, petroleum and agriculture, and provides an overarching holistic perspective that is supportive of a systems-thinking approach. The approaches offered embrace the pillars of sustainable development, i.e. approaches that recognize and are informed by economic, social and environmental considerations and impacts.

Sound policy and legal frameworks for bioenergy are necessary to ensure that socio-economic and environmental sustainability considerations are taken into account in the production, promotion and use of bioenergy, with a view to minimizing risks of negative impacts and maximizing benefits in the immediate and long term. Through a series of case studies, this publication aims at identifying specific recommendations for policy-makers and legal drafters to ensure that policy and legal instruments on bioenergy contribute to food security, rural development and environmental sustainability.