This publication has been developed in pursuance of the aimsof Agenda 21, particularly chapter 8 which recognizes, amongother things, the need to facilitate information exchange,including the dissemination of information on effective legaland regulatory instruments in the field of environment anddevelopment. This will encourage their wider use and adoption.Consequently, the Compendium of Judicial Decisions wasdevised with two objectives. First, it aims to createawareness and enthusiasm among lawyers and non-lawyersalike on the current trends in the jurisprudence related toenvironmental matters. Second, it aims to provide resourcematerials for reflecting on specific pieces of court decisionsfrom the point of view of courts of different perspectives,grounded as they are in the unique legal traditions andcircumstances of different countries and jurisdictions. (UNEP/UNDP/Dutch Government Joint Project on Environmental Law and Institutions in Africa)