Together, the States agreed
on the need for a common
vision and common principles
to inspire nations across
the world and guide their
efforts to protect
the environment.
Towards a Global Pact
for the Environment
OK, but how?
As we all live on the same planet,
there must be coordinated action on a
global scale to protect the Planet in the
long term. So we need a common legal
framework that binds States as well as
public and private institutions,
companies and citizens.
This realisation is not a new one:
Although no such text exists as of yet,
the international legal community has been
calling for the adoption of a legally binding
international treaty to enshrine the founding
principles of environmental law for 30 years.
An ambitious project
is now underway:
The creation of a Global Environmental Pact.
What would it change? Who would have
responsibilities? What stage
of its development are we currently at?
To answer these questions,
let’s start from the beginning!
Global warming, species extinction, deforestation, exhaustion of natural
resources, air, soil and water pollution. Given the magnitude of these threats
to the environment, we must take action. Time has come to recognize
our environmental rights and duties.
This is the big bang!
The first international
conference on the subject
of the environment.
In 1995, the International Union
for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
proposed the adoption
of a global framework
convention on
environment.
To what end?
To encourage States to strengthen
and progressively develop national
and international laws
on environmentally sustainable
development.
Keep global
warming below
2°C or even
1.5°C.
The Paris Agreement marks
a major step forward in terms
of climate diplomacy –
all countries accepted it
at the time, making a
commitment to report on their
respective actions to reduce
greenhouse gases.
The optimism surrounding the Paris
Agreement gave rise to the idea
of a Global Environmental Pact.
While the results of COP 21
were promising, they only involve
climate, whereas environmental
protection also requires measures
on pollution, biodiversity, waste, etc.
Thus, we need to create
a cross-sectoral legal text with
an international scope so that action
can be taken on all fronts!
It is led by the French think tank
Le Club des Juristes and consists
of around one hundred lawyers from
countries in the Northern and
Southern hemispheres, including
the former president of COP 21,
Laurent Fabius.
Achieve carbon
neutrality
by 2050.
It highlights the increasingly
apparent interdependence between
long-term economic
progress and the need
for environmental
protection.
States
It brought together
no less than
For the first time ever,
it mentioned the importance of
protecting nature and
ecosystems for the very
existence of humanity.
1972
10 years later,
the United Nations
adopted an innovative
and highly ethical text.
1982
113
These
meetings
would
be known
as “Earth
Summits”.
At this meeting the world
leaders decided to meet
founding
principles
And set out
26
Creating
the Pact
doesn’t mean
starting from
scratch!
3 founding texts
The World Charter
for Nature
The Stockholm
Declaration
As well as a
far-reaching
anti-pollution
action plan
every
The concept of countries
rights and responsibilities
with regards to environmental issues
is precisely set out in the Declaration
adopted at the Rio Earth Summit.
1992
1995
The Rio
Declaration
3 major
texts,
but one
huge
constraint!
The creation of a
collective project:
A Global Pact
for the Environment
There is no obligation
on States to implement
and enforce them.
No legal
instrument,
really?
Even though these texts are of great
political, moral and symbolic importance
and there is now a consensus
on the general principles
of environmental law they uphold,
they still have no legal force!
It has inspired many concepts,
principles and initiatives, such as:
1987
Signed at COP21, it is the
first universal agreement
to set climate targets.
2015
For over 30 years, jurists from around
the world have been fighting
for the creation of an agreed legal
framework that is legally binding
and universally accepted.
The right to a healthy
environment
Intergenerational
equity
A draft international
covenant
The Paris Agreement
Max
2017
This is the objective
of the International Group
of Experts for the Pact.
right to live in a healthy environment
and the duty to take care of the environment.
They advocate the
Together,
they are working
on a draft global
project with
the following
features:
Legally binding
Applicable
and usable
to all and by all
Facilitates
coherency
and harmonisation
of international
environmental law
It is structured around
a preamble and 20
principles supplemented
by 6 articles.
In more concrete terms,
it is based on :
What this entails
the right
to a healthy environment
the duty
to take care
of the environment
The Brundtland Report
(or
Our Common Future)
2017
The kick-off
The first draft of a Pact is presented for the first time at the Sorbonne
University in the presence of many public figures committed to protecting
the planet such as Laurent Fabius, Ban Ki-Moon, Arnold Schwarzenegger,
Mary Robinson, Anne Hidalgo, Laurence Tubiana, Manuel Pulgar-Vidal
and Nicolas Hulot.
September 19,
2017
Launching the initiative in the UN
Emmanuel Macron, the French President, presents the Global Pact
for the Environment project to the United Nations. The goal? Convince
this intergovernmental organisation of the value of such an initiative.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres and many heads of state
and government declared their support for the Pact.
May, 10
2018
The first round of negotiations
Are the Member States of the United Nations General Assembly ready
to begin negotiations for a Global Environmental Pact?
The answer is yes. By a large majority they adopted a resolution to start
the process: 143 States voted in favour, 5 against (the United States,
Russia, the Philippines, Syria and Turkey) and 7 abstained.
December 3,
2018
Support of the UN
UN Secretary-General António Guterres publishes a report
recommending that States adopt an instrument similar to the Pact.
The reason for this? Gaps in international law regarding
the environment.
By subscribing
to the newsletter
By following its
progress on social
media
By visiting
our website
October 9,
2018
100 jurists call for action
In addition to the French President, no less than 100 lawyers from all over
the world declare they are in favour of a Global Pact for the Environment.
They publish media articles in numerous countries to raise awareness
among citizens.
June 24,
Through the United Nation’s drive,
the foundations of international environmental
law were laid over 45 years ago:
reflected greater global awareness
and a willingness to act together to protect
the environment.
2019
Sorbonne Call to Action
The legal community rallies once again for the Sorbonne Call to Action.
They reiterate the urgent need to act for the environment and try to tip
the balance in their favour for the third and final UN working session.
May 11,
And now what?
How can you support the Pact?
Recent years have seen record temperatures.
Biodiversity is still being degraded at a rapid rate, while water, soil and air pollution continues to increase.
It is essential to stay engaged to build international foundations to achieve truly sustainable development.
The Global Pact for the Environment is currently the only initiative that addresses these issues
So that
in each State,
the legislator has a
point of reference in
order to draft laws and
develop more
protective
environmental public
policies.
So that
Supreme Courts
can draw inspiration
from it in order
to strengthen
the foundations
of global
environmental law.
For
Companies
to benefit from
a harmonisation
of the rules
on the international
level.
Infographic realized
in partnership with
To
strengthen
the environmental
rights of citizens
and NGOs.
May 20,
2019
A missed opportunity
During the third session of the UN working group on the adoption
of the text in Nairobi, the balance did not tip in the Pact’s favour,
notably due to the United States, Brazil and Russia.
For a text to be adopted by the UN under the so-called
"consensus" method, a text must be accepted by everyone,
which was not the case this time.
Strengthening
environmental laws
at the national level.
Integrating
the environment
into sectoral policies
and programmes
at all levels.
Strengthening
coordination between
institutions in the envi
-
ronmental field.
1
2
3
4
Protecting
the environment
and
repairing
environment
damages
Respecting
the precautionary
principle
Integrating the objectives
of sustainable development
into public policies
Informing
citizens
and enabling their
participation during
the process of taking
environmental decisions
here
here
here
here
Nevertheless, the group’s
recommendations were
endorsed on August 30th 2019
for the promotion of:
2022
Heading to
the next Earth Summit in
The 50th anniversary of the Stockholm conference
in 2022 will be the next opportunity for a big shift.
The adoption of a Global Pact for
the Environmental is still possible.
We have 2 years to make it happen!
The requirement to
conduct environmental
assessment screenings
This report, produced by the United Nations World
Commission on Environment and Development,
is known for its innovative definition of the concept of
environmental protection.
It also clearly states the need for an agreement
that would enshrine principles of environmental
protection.
sustainable development
Sustainable development can
be defined as development
that meets the needs
of the present without
compromising the ability
of future generations.
1
2
3
years
It was also the first text that both
promoted sustainable development
and established a level of standards
for the rehabilitation of areas
degraded by human activity;
which must be rehabilitated to
become "
in line with their natural
potential
".
By talking
about it to people
around you
« un mode de
développement qui
répond aux besoins des
générations présentes
sans compromettre
la capacité des
générations futures
de répondre aux leurs »