Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, Report of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, Stockholm, 5–16 June 1972, A/CONF.48/14/Rev.1. New York. pp. 3–5

The Declaration of the United Nations (UN) Conference on the Human Environment, known as the Stockholm Declaration, was the culmination of the UN Conference on the Human Environment, the first environmental conference held in Stockholm, Sweden in 1962. Among the principles declared by the instrument provides that humans have "fundamental right to freedom, equality and adequate conditions of life, in an environment of a quality that permits a life of dignity and well being." This has been interpreted by courts to impose an obligation on a state to protect the environment as a fundamental element of protecting the citizens' right to life. The declaration further states that "the natural resources of the earth, including the air, water, land, flora and fauna and especially representative samples of natural ecosystems, must be safeguarded for the benefit of present and future generations through careful planning or management."