Charter for the Environment

In 2005, the environment was addressed at the highest level of French law with the adoption of a charter for the environment, backed by the French constitution. With this charter, the environment is addressed in the same manner as human rights in 1789 and economic and social rights in 1946.

Principles of the Charter for the Environment

The charter for the environment establishes sustainable development as a responsibility to future generations, and the environment, as a common heritage, as fundamental principles of the shared republican values of French society.

The constitutional value of this charter therefore requires that all laws and public policies (economic, social, research, etc.) take the environment and sustainable development model into account.

Creation of rights and responsibilities over the environment

From now on, new rights and responsibilities for the French have been defined, such as "Everyone has the right to live in a stable and healthy environment" ( 1^st article) and "Every person has the responsibility to participate in the preservation and improvement of the environment" (article 2).

The precaution principle is also confirmed and strengthened by the constitutional value given to it, as well as the polluter-pays principle, via the concept of ecological responsibility.

The official text of the Charter for the Environment is available at Légifrance.