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PIARC (World Road Association), founded in 1909 and comprising 125 member governments from all over the world, is the global forum for exchange of knowledge and experience on roads, road transport policies and practices. With consultative status to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, the Association is contributing to a stable and sustainable global development of the road and transport sector.

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  4. Term of the Dictionary | precautionary principle

Term of the Road Dictionary

precautionary principle

  • Language : PIARC Road Dictionary / English
  • Theme : Operations Transport Sustainable Transport
  • Definition : Principle which emphasizes the risk of severe environmental damage which must be prevented in a situation of uncertainty and in the light of current scientific and technical knowledge. Notes: 1. Together with the principle of freedom for future generations, the principle of equity and solidarity, the principle of participation and the principle of mainstreaming sustainable development concerns into economic mechanisms, the precautionary principle is one of the cornerstones of policies and strategies for sustainable development. 2. In the absence of consensus by the Heads of State at the Rio Summit, many NGOs have integrated the social aspects of sustainable development based on the seven principles of conservancy, humanity, responsibility, moderation, caution, diversity and citizenship. There are thus several definitions of the precautionary principle which are more or less restrictive according to the States and the NGOs.

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