The List of World Heritage in Danger as an Environmental Protection Instrument

This article highlights the widespread use of listing as a tool in environmental protection, drawing attention to various types of lists established under international legal instruments. It provides statistical data on properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger and analyzes the historical context of its emergence. Particular attention is given to the pivotal role of the international campaign to rescue the Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel and the Sanctuary of Isis on Philae Island, which significantly contributed to the establishment of the global system for the protection of World Heritage. The legal foundations for inclusion on the List, as set out in the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, are examined. The article underscores the critical importance of the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the Convention, offering a retrospective analysis of their provisions regarding the inscription of properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger. Special emphasis is placed on the decisions of a general nature adopted by the World Heritage Committee, which play a key role in shaping policy in this area, as well as on the technical and methodological documents developed by its advisory bodies. The evolution of the principle of state consent in the inscription process is explored, along with the circumstances that prompted a shift in approach. The article discusses instances where individual states strongly opposed the designation of sites on their territory as “in danger.” It also analyzes the practice of inscription based on the occurrence of specific conditions outlined by the World Heritage Committee, identifying the criteria used to assess the expected state of conservation of a property and the development of corrective action plans. Additionally, the article highlights the potential for financial institutions, including those in the banking sector, to suspend funding for high-risk projects that could lead to a site being placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger. Ultimately, the Author concludes that a realistic assessment of the List's potential is required, one that takes into account the actual state of the international regulatory framework governing World Heritage conservation.