Our Philosophy

Our Philosophy & Frameworks

1. Earth Charter

2. Positive Impact Charter

The Earth Charter

An Overview

Conceived in 1994 through the joint vision of Mikhail Gorbachev, then President of Green Cross International, and Maurice Strong, Secretary-General of the UN Earth Summit, the Earth Charter was initiated as a global civil society endeavour. It directly answered a call from the UN for a new guiding framework for sustainable development.

The Charter is an international declaration of fundamental ethical principles aimed at building a more just, sustainable, and peaceful 21st-century society. Its unique authority stems from its creation process: it was drafted through what remains one of the most open and participatory consultations ever for an international document, involving thousands of individuals and organisations over six years (1994-2000).

Officially launched in 2000 at The Peace Palace in The Hague, its framework is built upon four interdependent pillars: Respect and Care for the Community of Life, Ecological Integrity, Social and Economic Justice, and Democracy, Non-Violence, and Peace. These are elaborated through sixteen main principles.

More than a declaration, the Earth Charter is a practical guide for action. It posits that environmental protection, human rights, equitable development, and peace are inseparable.

For Green Cross International, the Charter’s principles are integral to its organisational DNA, providing the ethical foundation that informs and inspires its mission and on-the-ground projects—exemplifying how a shared global vision translates into tangible, localised action for people and the planet.

The Positive Impact Charter

Introduction:

The Positive Impact (π) Charter in a complex global geopolitical scenario, where nations are committed to ambitious goals such as the eradication of extreme poverty by 2030 and emission neutrality by 2050, the urgency of a vision based on action and the pursuit of a positive impact emerges.

This vision drives us beyond what is expected and obligatory, towards an unprecedented proactivity of commitment, founded on shared responsibility and the will to lead the way.

This is the guiding principle of Positive Impact (π), forged annually since 2020 to reflect our collective understanding and our renewed commitment to a positive future for the planet. It aligns with essential voices that have shaped our understanding of planetary interdependence and the need for transformative action.

Guiding Principle of Active Stewardship.

Positive Impact (π) stands as the guiding principle of active planetary stewardship, a fundamental directive that calls us to assume a proactive and responsible role in the preservation of biodiversity and the regeneration of the Earth's biocapacity, essential for human survival and well-being.

This means going beyond mere obligation to act with a will for improvement and significant contribution; not only seeking to protect it passively, but actively improving its health and resilience for future generations, because, "environmental protection is not a luxury, but a necessity; we must safeguard our planet for future generations" (Mikhail Gorbachev).

Beyond Sustainability.

Positive Impact (π) goes beyond mere sustainability, seeking the regeneration and net improvement of our environmental and social systems, cultivating an intrinsically positive and restorative impact.

Our objective is to forge a "safe and just space for humanity" (Kate Raworth), where everyone's needs are met without overshooting the planet's ecological limits, assuming that "sustainability is, in essence, living as if we had one planet" (Mathis Wackernagel).

Fundamental Pillars.

Positive Impact is founded upon the following pillars:

• Regenerative Design: This pillar guides us to adopt the resilient principles and processes of natural ecosystems as our intrinsic model. By designing human systems in harmony with the Earth's vital cycles, we seek not only to conserve, but to restore and enhance its regenerative capacity, recognising that its vitality is the foundation of our well-being.

• Common Good: This pillar urges us to cultivate a deep virtue of generosity and collective responsibility, ensuring that every action and development benefits society as a whole and future generations. We are guided by the conviction that we must promote an ethic of interdependence, where the prosperity of some is not achieved at the expense of others or the natural environment, seeking fundamental equity in access to resources and opportunities. "Sharing is our greatest wealth" (Pope Francis).

• Shared Value: This pillar seeks to ensure that the benefits and burdens of the transition towards a positive future are distributed fairly and equitably. It focuses on building an economy that intrinsically values natural and human resources, promoting systems that eradicate poverty and reduce inequality in all its forms.

Leadership and Economic Transformation.

Positive Impact (π) demands proactive and collaborative leadership at all levels of society, fundamental for accelerating the United Nations SDG17 and consolidating key initiatives such as the Pact for the Future. This leadership is vital for reorienting global priorities, generating the opportunity for a new economic model: fairer, more sustainable, and inclusive, which places biodiversity at its centre.

It drives a systemic evolution of the global financial sphere, integrating critical concepts such as planetary overshoot, the intrinsic value of biocapacity, and ecosystem services directly into its economic equations. These elements must be recognised and managed as fundamental and non-speculative natural capital, thereby cementing the need for robust global governance for their fair valuation. Furthermore, verifiable compliance with climate commitments must translate into significantly improved development finance conditions, creating powerful incentives for businesses and governments to forge an economy that rewards true sustainability and equity, essential for securing our common future.

Mobilisation and Resilience.

Positive Impact (π) aspires to mobilise unprecedented wills, appealing to both individual analytical capacity and the social awareness of change, to reverse the profound environmental, economic, and social crisis that humanity has generated. We recognise that science and technology, though indispensable, are insufficient on their own. The decentralised empowerment of communities is vital to forge a vision rooted in the ethic of the common good and in a solidarity-based and intergenerational responsibility towards the environment, as Mikhail Gorbachev stated: "No one has all the answers. We must listen to diverse voices and perspectives to find the best solutions."

It charts an evolutionary path towards sustainability that directly addresses the Ecological Footprint, for "humanity is living beyond the Earth's capacity, using more resources than it can regenerate" (Mathis Wackernagel). This prevailing reality implies confronting the new challenges inherent in global change and strategically investing in the adaptation that this entails, fostering innovation and resilience at all levels. It is an unavoidable responsibility, because, as Mikhail Gorbachev said, "Our common future is in our hands and we cannot afford to ignore the challenges that lie ahead, as they affect us all."

A Call to Global Action.

Ultimately, the guiding principle of Positive Impact (π) resonates deeply with the spirit of the Earth Charter and its concluding words: "...Let ours be a time remembered for the awakening of a new reverence for life, the firm resolve to achieve sustainability, the quickening of the struggle for justice and peace, and the joyful celebration of life."

The Positive Impact (π) Charter is a strategic accelerator for global sustainability. We urge all individuals, enterprises, and governmental bodies to formally adopt its tenets and actively contribute to forging a future marked by a renewed reverence for life, resolute sustainability, swift advancement of justice and peace, and the vibrant celebration of our collective planet.

Your commitment is vital to this transformative journey.

Green Cross United Kingdom Team | Climate Positive Coop. Team | Positive Impact Coop. Team