World Charter for Nature

The World Charter for Nature was proclaimed in 1982 under the auspices of the United Nations. This charter is a declaration of ethical and ecological principles. It is not legally binding.

Principle of the World Charter for Nature

The charter for nature was an innovative document in its era, 10 years before the Rio de Janeiro Conference. It acknowledges the interdependency between development and the environment, particularly ecosystems, and urges countries to preserve their biodiversity.

Objectives of this charter

The charter especially promotes the principles of sustainable development and conservation of natural habitats. It also acknowledges shared responsibility for the state of the environment, as well as the urgency of preserving nature at the international level.

The charter for nature influenced many later treaties on the environment.

The official text is available in English on the UN website: http://www.un.org