The Earth Charter Values and Principles for a Sustainable Future Why is the Earth Charter important? and development of the document reflects the progress of the worldwide dialogue on the Earth At a time when major changes in how we think Charter. Beginning with the Benchmark Draft and live are urgently needed, the Earth Charter issued by the Commission following the Rio+5 challenges us to examine our values and to Forum in Rio de Janeiro, drafts of the Earth choose a better way. It calls on us to search for Charter were circulated internationally as part of common ground in the midst of our diversity and the consultation process. Meeting at the to embrace a new ethical vision that is shared by UNESCO Headquarters in Paris in March, 2000, growing numbers of people in many nations and the Commission approved a final version of the cultures throughout the world. Earth Charter. What is the history of the Earth What are the sources of Earth Charter? Charter values? In 1987 the United Nations World Commission on Together with the Earth Charter consultation Environment and Development issued a call for process, the most important influences shaping creation of a new charter that would set forth fun- the ideas and values in the Earth Charter are con- damental principles for sustainable development. temporary science, international law, the teach- The drafting of an Earth Charter was part of the he Earth Charter is a ings of indigenous peoples, the wisdom of the unfinished business of the 1992 Rio Earth world’s great religions and philosophical tradi- Tdeclaration of fundamental Summit. In 1994 Maurice Strong, the secretary tions, the declarations and reports of the seven principles for building a just, general of the Earth Summit and chairman of the UN summit conferences held during the 1990s, Earth Council, and Mikhail Gorbachev, president sustainable, and peaceful global the global ethics movement, numerous non- of Green Cross International, launched a new governmental declarations and people’s treaties society in the 21st century. It Earth Charter initiative with support from the issued over the past thirty years, and best seeks to inspire in all peoples a new Dutch government. An Earth Charter Com- practices for building sustainable communities. mission was formed in 1997 to oversee the sense of global interdependence and project and an Earth Charter Secretariat was shared responsibility for the well- established at the Earth Council in Costa Rica. What is the mission of the being of the human family and the international Earth Charter By what process was the Earth Initiative? larger living world. It is an Charter created? expression of hope and a call to A new phase in the Initiative began with the offi- cial launching of the Earth Charter at the Peace help create a global partnership at a The Earth Charter is the product of a decade long, worldwide, crosscultural conversation Palace in The Hague on June 29, 2000. The mis- critical juncture in history. about common goals and shared values. The sion of the Initiative is to establish a sound ethi- drafting of the Earth Charter has involved the cal foundation for the emerging global society The Earth Charter’s inclusive ethical most open and participatory consultation and to help build a sustainable world based on vision recognizes that process ever conducted in connection with an respect for nature, universal human rights, eco- international document. Thousands of individuals nomic justice, and a culture of peace. environmental protection, human and hundreds of organizations from all regions of rights, equitable human the world, different cultures, and diverse sectors What are the goals of the Earth development, and peace are of society have participated. The Charter has been shaped by both experts and representatives Charter Initiative? interdependent and indivisible. It of grassroots communities. It is a people’s treaty 1. To promote the dissemination, endorsement, provides a new framework for that sets forth an important expression of the and implementation of the Earth Charter by thinking about and addressing these hopes and aspirations of the emerging global civil civil society, business, and government. society. issues. The result is a fresh, broad 2. To encourage and support the educational conception of what constitutes a Who wrote the Earth Charter? use of the Earth Charter in schools, universi- ties, faith communities, and many other set- sustainable community and Early in 1997, the Earth Charter Commission tings. sustainable development. formed an international drafting committee. The 3. To seek endorsement of the Earth Charter by drafting committee helped to conduct the inter- the United Nations. national consultation process, and the evolution 1 The Earth Charter PREAMBLE PRINCIPLES We stand at a critical moment in Earth’s history, a time I. RESPECT AND CARE FOR THE COMMUNITY when humanity must choose its future. As the world becomes increasingly interdependent and fragile, the OF LIFE future at once holds great peril and great promise. To 1. Respect Earth and life in all its diversity. move forward we must recognize that in the midst of a magnificent diversity of cultures and life forms we are a. Recognize that all beings are interdependent and one human family and one Earth community with a every form of life has value regardless of its worth to common destiny. We must join together to bring forth human beings. a sustainable global society founded on respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice, and b. Affirm faith in the inherent dignity of all human a culture of peace. Towards this end, it is imperative beings and in the intellectual, artistic, ethical, and spiri- that we, the peoples of Earth, declare our responsibili- tual potential of humanity. ty to one another, to the greater community of life, and f. Manage the extraction and use of non-renewable to future generations. 2. Care for the community of life with under- resources such as minerals and fossil fuels in ways EARTH, OUR HOME standing, compassion, and love. that minimize depletion and cause no serious envi- ronmental damage. Humanity is part of a vast evolving universe. Earth, our a. Accept that with the right to own, manage, and use home, is alive with a unique community of life. The natural resources comes the duty to prevent environ- forces of nature make existence a demanding and mental harm and to protect the rights of people. 6. Prevent harm as the best method of environ- uncertain adventure, but Earth has provided the condi- mental protection and, when knowledge is limit- b. Affirm that with increased freedom, knowledge, and tions essential to life’s evolution. The resilience of the ed, apply a precautionary approach. community of life and the well-being of humanity power comes increased responsibility to promote the depend upon preserving a healthy biosphere with all common good. a. Take action to avoid the possibility of serious or its ecological systems, a rich variety of plants and ani- irreversible environmental harm even when scientific mals, fertile soils, pure waters, and clean air. The glob- knowledge is incomplete or inconclusive. al environment with its finite resources is a common 3. Build democratic societies that are just, partic- concern of all peoples. The protection of Earth’s vitali- ipatory, sustainable, and peaceful. b. Place the burden of proof on those who argue that a proposed activity will not cause significant ty, diversity, and beauty is a sacred trust. a. Ensure that communities at all levels guarantee harm, and make the responsible parties liable for human rights and fundamental freedoms and provide THE GLOBAL SITUATION environmental harm. everyone an opportunity to realize his or her full poten- The dominant patterns of production and consumption c. Ensure that decision making addresses the cumu- are causing environmental devastation, the depletion tial. lative, long-term, indirect, long distance, and global of resources, and a massive extinction of species. b. Promote social and economic justice, enabling all to consequences of human activities. Communities are being undermined. The benefits of achieve a secure and meaningful livelihood that is eco- development are not shared equitably and the gap logically responsible. d. Prevent pollution of any part of the environment between rich and poor is widening. Injustice, poverty, and allow no build-up of radioactive, toxic, or other ignorance, and violent conflict are widespread and the hazardous substances. cause of great suffering. An unprecedented rise in 4. Secure Earth’s bounty and beauty for present human population has overburdened ecological and and future generations. e. Avoid military activities damaging to the environ- social systems. The foundations of global security are ment. threatened. These trends are perilous—but not a. Recognize that the freedom of action of each gen- inevitable. eration is qualified by the needs of future generations. 7. Adopt patterns of production, consumption, b. Transmit to future generations values, traditions, THE CHALLENGES AHEAD and reproduction that safeguard Earth’s regener- and institutions that support the long-term flourishing ative capacities, human rights, and community The choice is ours: form a global partnership to care for of Earth’s human and ecological communities. Earth and one another or risk the destruction of our- well-being. selves and the diversity of life. Fundamental changes In order to fulfill these four broad commitments, it is a. Reduce, reuse, and recycle the materials used in are needed in our values, institutions, and ways of liv- necessary to: production and consumption systems, and ensure ing. We must realize that when basic needs have been that residual waste can be assimilated by ecological met, human development is primarily about being II. ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY more, not having more. We have the knowledge and systems. technology to provide for all and to reduce our impacts b.