The Twain Shall Meet: International rules for the protection of heritage and nature

Abstract

This article discusses the international agreements that have been made for the protection of heritage and nature. It is shown that, while there are often formal separations between the two realms, there is an increasing convergence between them. An overview is given of the significance of the various international organisations who deal with the international rules of law concerning nature and heritage. On four topics, there is further discussion about the possibilities for cooperation between the two domains: the World Heritage Convention, the conventions for biological diversity and intangible heritage, the rules concerning the Law of the sea and the Wetlands Convention.