The Universal Declaration of Tree Rights sets out common principles intended to transform the relationship between human societies and trees. It is not limited to a particular legal mechanism, territory or form of protection.

The Universal Declaration of Tree Rights does not constitute a particular legal, administrative or territorial mechanism. It is neither a protected area, nor a nature reserve, nor a land-tenure regime, nor a mechanism conferring legal personhood upon Trees.

It sets out common principles intended to transform humanity’s understanding of the Tree, so that it is no longer regarded merely as a resource, a feature of the landscape or an asset available for exploitation, but as a living being essential to Life and possessing intrinsic value.

This is precisely what makes the Declaration universal: it is not tied to any national legal system, territorial status or specific instrument of protection. It can therefore be recognised, interpreted and implemented in countries, cultures and legal systems that differ from one another.

It does not seek to impose an identical mechanism everywhere. It establishes a common foundation of principles from which each society may develop instruments suited to its laws, institutions, culture and territorial realities.

The Declaration is a universal foundation of principles. It affirms a common responsibility towards trees and recalls that the protection of the living world cannot rest solely upon their economic value, immediate usefulness or ownership.

It provides an ethical, scientific, democratic, legal, cultural and educational framework. It is intended to guide public decisions, territorial policies, economic practices, research, education and citizen participation.

Depending on the context, implementation of the Declaration may be supported by constitutions, laws, regulations, judicial decisions, public policies, development plans, urban planning documents or biodiversity protection strategies.

It may also draw upon conservation mechanisms, protected-area designations, territorial charters, institutional commitments, customary practices, scientific programmes, educational initiatives or cultural projects.

These instruments are complementary, but they must not be confused with the Declaration itself. They may protect a territory, a natural environment, a tree heritage, a species, a forest or particular trees. The Declaration, by contrast, provides the overarching framework through which these different forms of action can be guided and connected.

The Universal Declaration of Tree Rights is the foundational text of a broader framework. Around it are several complementary instruments: the Fifteen Commitments of Local and Regional Authorities, the Assembly of the Tree and the proposed International Convention on Tree Rights.

These components fulfil distinct functions. The Declaration sets out universal principles. The Fifteen Commitments organise their progressive translation into action by authorities that officially adopt the Declaration. The Assembly of the Tree is a consultative, democratic and territorial instrument. The proposed International Convention on Tree Rights is intended, in the longer term, to develop the framework at international level.

The Assembly of the Tree constitutes the democratic and territorial dimension of the framework.

The democratic character of the Assembly of the Tree refers to the participation, pluralism, dialogue and deliberation of the individuals and human institutions concerned. It does not mean that the Tree becomes a citizen, a member of the body politic or the holder of political power, nor that the Assembly purports to exercise sovereignty or political representation on its behalf.

According to local realities, it brings together citizens, elected representatives, scientists, legal experts, associations, professionals, public services and other actors concerned with the future of trees and living environments.

It provides a forum in which concrete situations can be examined, knowledge can be shared and compared, proposals can emerge and recommendations can be submitted to the competent authorities.

The Assembly of the Tree does not replace existing democratic institutions. It complements them by creating a dedicated space for dialogue, knowledge and responsibility concerning the place of the Tree within public policy.

The Assembly organises the responsibility of human societies towards the Tree; it does not construct a fiction of political will on the part of the Tree.

The Declaration affirms the fundamental principles that should guide the relationship between humanity and trees.

It recognises the Tree as a sentient living being, essential to the Earth’s balances and to the continuity of Life. It recalls the profound interdependence connecting trees, ecosystems and human societies.

Its purpose is universal: it provides a common foundation to which citizens, local authorities, institutions, scientists, legal experts, economic actors and international organisations may refer.

Specifically: The Fifteen Commitments constitute the institutional roadmap for local and regional authorities that officially adopt the Declaration.

Adoption of the Declaration is inseparable from the simultaneous and full adoption of the Fifteen Commitments.

This requirement concerns adoption itself. Implementation, by contrast, is progressive and adapted to the powers, resources and territorial realities of the authority concerned.

The Fifteen Commitments structure action around five complementary functions: Governing, Knowing, Acting, Preserving and Transmitting.

Some futher reading on specific commitments can be found by clicking on the buttons below.

Article I is the starting point of the Declaration's entire architecture. Before addressing ecological interdependence or human responsibility, it characterizes the Tree. This characterization brings together four elements: a generic subject — “the Tree” —, a biological reality — “a sensitive living being” —, a relational function — “source of Life” — and a normative characterization — “a common good of humankind”.

These four elements do not belong to the same register. Biology describes what a plant organism is and what it can detect or do. Ecology documents the relationships in which trees participate. The Declaration interprets this reality and gives it ethical and normative significance. Positive law, finally, determines the binding effects that this characterization may receive within a given legal order.

This article therefore develops Article I without confusing scientific evidence with legal proposition. It clarifies in particular the meaning of “sensitive”, the scope of “source of Life”, the Declaration's own concept of a “common good of humankind”, its relationship with property, and its distinction from legal personhood.