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.
This page explains the nature and universal scope of the Declaration, its relationship with the Rights of Nature movement, and its place within the broader framework formed by the Declaration, the International Convention on Tree Rights and the Assembly of the Tree.
Why the Declaration Is Universal
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 on 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.
An Autonomous Approach, Open to Dialogue with the Rights of Nature Movement
The Universal Declaration of Tree Rights is not the same as the Rights of Nature movement, although it shares the aim of moving beyond an exclusively utilitarian understanding of the living world.
The Rights of Nature movement encompasses a wide range of approaches. Some recognise rights belonging to rivers, forests, ecosystems or other natural entities. Some confer legal personhood upon them or establish mechanisms for their representation before institutions and courts.
The Declaration follows an autonomous approach. It does not make the recognition of Tree Rights conditional upon the granting of legal personhood, the appointment of a legal representative or the existence of a territory benefiting from a particular legal status.
Tree Rights cannot therefore be reduced to a single legal technique. They first express a fundamental transformation in the relationship between human beings and trees, based on recognition of their living nature, their essential role in maintaining the Earth’s balances and their intrinsic value.
The Declaration may engage in dialogue with the Rights of Nature movement and with legal experiments developed in different countries, without thereby becoming a branch, derivative or institutional extension of that movement.
What the Declaration Is — and What It Is Not
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.
The Declaration is not, in itself, a national law, a municipal regulation, an international convention already ratified, a nature reserve or a land tenure status. It does not replace existing instruments or abolish the powers of States, local authorities or other public institutions.
It gives these instruments a common direction: to recognise the Tree as a living being essential to Life and to establish the conditions necessary for its protection, respect, regeneration and transmission to future generations.
A Universal Framework Implemented According to the Realities of Each Country
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.
A municipality, region, State, institution, university or organisation may therefore recognise the Declaration without being required to adopt the same legal mechanism as another jurisdiction.
This capacity for adaptation does not weaken its universality. On the contrary, it is one of the conditions that makes universality possible: common principles implemented through different means, in accordance with diverse legal systems and cultures.
The Declaration within the Broader Framework
The Universal Declaration of Tree Rights forms the foundation of a broader framework. This framework rests upon three complementary components: the Declaration, the International Convention on Tree Rights and the Assembly of the Tree.
These three components fulfil distinct functions. The Declaration sets out universal principles. The Convention is intended to give those principles a more developed international expression. The Assembly of the Tree enables them to be discussed and implemented at the territorial level.
The Universal Declaration of Tree Rights
The Declaration affirms the fundamental principles that should guide the relationship between humanity and trees.
It recognises the Tree as a living, sentient 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.
The International Convention on Tree Rights
The International Convention on Tree Rights constitutes the legal and institutional continuation of the Declaration.
It is intended to clarify the obligations, cooperation mechanisms and commitments that may be adopted by States and international institutions.
The Convention is not the Declaration itself. It represents a distinct stage: the progressive translation of universal principles into structured international commitments.
The Assembly of the Tree
The Assembly of the Tree constitutes the democratic and territorial dimension of the framework.
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.
From Principles to Action
The Declaration is not intended to remain a symbolic or abstract text. It must be capable of inspiring concrete decisions.
Its recognition may lead to stronger protection for existing trees, better regulation of felling, preservation of soils, development of ecological connectivity, restoration of forests and landscapes, adaptation of cities to climate disruption, and greater integration of scientific knowledge into public policy.
It may also promote education about the Tree, the transmission of knowledge, citizen participation, consideration of local cultures and recognition of the material and symbolic bonds connecting human societies with trees.
Each territory remains free to determine the instruments most appropriate to its circumstances. Yet all can recognise the same fundamental requirement: no longer to regard the Tree as a mere object available for use, but as a living and irreplaceable component of our shared world.
A Common Responsibility
The universal nature of the Declaration does not mean that every society must act in the same way. It means that no society can consider itself exempt from the responsibility to protect trees and the living systems upon which humanity depends.
The Universal Declaration of Tree Rights therefore offers a common language capable of connecting scientific knowledge, legal principles, democratic decision-making, cultures and territorial practices.
It is not a closed model. It opens a common framework for thinking, deciding and acting.
Because the Tree is Life.
Official presentation page of the Universal Declaration of Tree Rights.
Last updated: July 2026.
