Council of Europe Landscape Convention

The aim of the Council of Europe Landscape Convention, ratified to date by 40 member States, is the protection, management and planning of the landscape, with reference to the entire territory of the States parties, promoting public awareness and participation. 

The Convention is based on the assumption that landscape is a key element of individual and social well-being everywhere, an essential component of human beings' surroundings and an important part of their quality of life. 

It thus helps to strengthen the link between human rights and the environment with a view to their mutual protection and enhancement. In the framework of the co-operation between the States parties, the Convention established the Landscape Award of the Council of Europe. 

The European Union and States that are not members of the Council of Europe can be invited to join the Convention.

As part of the Parties' co-operation in implementing the Convention within the Council of Europe, a Working Group is currently preparing a report on the theme of "Landscape and health". On this basis, the Committee of Ministers may address a Recommendation to the member States of the Council of Europe. The considerations contained in the Preamble to the Convention are an important reference for this work:

“… the landscape …has an important public interest role in the cultural, ecological, environmental and social fields;
… is a basic component of the European natural and cultural heritage, contributing to human well-being and consolidation of the European identity;
… is an essential component of human being’s surroundings;
… is an important part of the quality of life for people everywhere: in urban areas and in the countryside, in degraded areas as well as in areas of high quality, in areas recognised as being of outstanding beauty as well as everyday areas;
… is a key element of individual and social well-being and …its protection, management and planning entail rights and responsibilities for everyone.”