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This work is supported by the European Union

This page gives information about the history and objectives of the Precautionary Principle Project, with links to relevant project outputs. The Precautionary Principle Project was formed in August 2002 as a partnership between four international NGOs. Initial funding came from IUCN’s 3IC fund, followed by a grant from the European Commission (Directorate General for Development) starting in October 2003. The project concluded in January 2006. Background The need to better understand the role of the precautionary principle in biodiversity conservation and natural resource management (NRM) had been highlighted by discussions starting at the World Conservation Congress in 1996 in Montreal. This project aimed to investigate the issues surrounding the application of the principle in this area, and to provide guidance on its appropriate use. The project also aimed to emphasize the perspective of developing countries, which had been largely overlooked in previous discussions of precaution. This aim was made clear at a roundtable discussion at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (August 2002 in South Africa) which was the project’s first activity. Download an initial summary of the project’s objectives (pdf) Download the report of the roundtable discussion (pdf)   D Newton/TRAFFIC Yellow wood tree, Diepwalle, South Africa investigating the issues The first year of the project was devoted to research and consultation, to better understand the issues surrounding the application of the precautionary principle to biodiversity conservation and natural resource management. Input was received from a wide network of conservation and development professionals and academics, and an intensive survey conducted of the published literature. Read more about the precautionary principle, and the issues surrounding it Get a bibliography of key references  An ‘Issues Paper for Policy-makers, Researchers and Practitioners’, written by project co-ordinator Rosie Cooney was published by IUCN in November 2004 after a public consultation on a draft version. This general analysis of the way precaution was thought of and used in conservation and NRM gave a background for more specific consultation: Download the issues paper (pdf)   building a global picture In March 2004 the project put out a call for case studies, illustrating different ways in which precaution is applied to conservation and NRM and the positive and negative impacts of these approaches. Fourteen studies, from around the world, were included in a book: 'Biodiversity and the Precautionary Principle: Risk and Uncertainty in Conservation and Sustainable Use', published by Earthscan in December 2005. Four additional studies are being prepared for publication elsewhere, and two are available from this site. Download the book’s contents (pdf) Order a copy from Earthscan See the additional case studies    To get a broader perspective of the way in which the principle is applied in different regions of the globe, and particularly in developing countries, the project held regional workshops for Africa, Asia and Latin America.  Read the regional workshop reports.   producing guidelines  Taking into account all the issues raised in the initial period of research and consultation, the case studies, and the regional workshops, the project began work producing draft ‘best practice guidance’ on applying the precautionary principle in conservation NRM in early 2005. In June 2005, after extensive consultation among partners and advisors, a draft of this guidance was opened for review in an open-access e-conference held on this site. See comments posted in the e-conference Comments from the e-conference were used to prepare a revised draft which was taken to the project’s international workshop in Florida in July 2005. A diverse group including political scientists, environmental lawyers, and specialists in many areas (from invasive species to sustainable agriculture) brought their perspectives and combined breadth of experience to bear on the draft. The workshop produced a series of twelve Guidelines for Applying the Precautionary Principle to Biodiversity Conservation and Natural Resource Management, which were finalised over subsequent weeks by a small drafting sub-group agreed by the meeting. Download the illustrated brochure of the Guidelines (pdf) Download text version in Español Français English (pdf) Read the workshop report (pdf)   outreach The project has been active in international policy forums relevant to biodiversity conservation and NRM: A side-event and a motion on the precautionary principle at 3rd World Conservation Congress of IUCN led to a resolution being developed and adopted which calls on IUCN to establish an inter-commission working group on the precautionary principle. A project briefing paper and an information document on the precautionary principle were distributed at the 13th Conference of the Parties of CITES (Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna & Flora) The issues paper was distributed at the 10th meeting of  SBSTTA, the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological advice of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) A side-event on the precautionary principle was held at the 9th Conference of the Parties to the Ramsar Convention on wetlands. In addition all national CITES management authorities, CBD national focal points and the regional and international chairs of all IUCN committees, have received copies of the issues paper and the guidelines. It is still too early to say what the outcome of these activities will be, but the project has raised the profile of precaution within these forums and provided information on its appropriate interpretation.    Download the IUCN resolution (pdf)   next >> back to home page