Ten Principles of Environmental Management

The following are ten principles which require consideration
in the practice of environmental management, as drawn-up by
the External Programme of Wye College.

Ten Principles

Duty of care

Such is the complexity of environmental affairs that it is appropriate always to think through the likely consequences of actions in order to avoid foreseeable adverse consequences. Once disturbed, it may prove impossible to restore order and balance to environmental systems.

Precautionary principle

In view of the possibility of irreversible damage being inflicted on environmental systems before complete evidence is available, it is not appropriate to wait until damage levels are overwhelming before taking action to protect them.

Social learning

Humility on the part if 'experts' so that they learn from others where and when appropriate, particularly from those in immediate and long term contact with specific environmental situations, will pay dividends in terms of better informed and more relevant definitions of problems and the development of more sustainable solutions.

Subsidiarity

The scale at which management attempts to tackle a problem should be appropriate to the nature of the problemand at the lowest effective level, as close as possible to conditions on the ground.

Sustainability

A primary goal of environmental management must be ecological sustainability, with socio-cultural and economic demands accomodated in such a way as not to threaten the long term viability of environmental systems.

Intergenerational equity

Implicit in the concept of sustainability is that the interests of future generations are taken into account so that current activities do not foreclose options for the future occupants of the planet.

Empowerment

As far as possible and appropriate, people should be given responsibility and control over their own lives: the role of governments should be confined to the establishment and maintenance of frameworks which enable people to look after their own interests.

Procedural equality

There should be transparency in all management arbitrations to ensure that all interests are dealt with respectfully, equally and fairly.

Areal equality

Each area and locality should be treated fairly with an equal opportunity to avoid environmental damage and a guarantee that local conditions will be accomodated as appropriate and feasible.

Polluter pays

Those who cause environmental damage should be liable for the costs that it imposes on others. Subsequent beneficiaries should share the burden of liability.