Alle origini delle politiche ambientali internazionali: la Conferenza delle Nazioni Unite sull’ambiente umano di Stoccolma (1972)

The United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, held in Stockholm in 1972, marked the early stages of international concern for environmental issues and the development of global environmental policy. During the post-WWII, rapid industrialization, uncontrolled urban expansion, and technological development led to a series of environmental disasters. These events contributed to a growing awareness of the need for global environmental governance. This paper explores the historical and political context that led to the Stockholm Conference and analyzes its key outcomes. Specifically, we will examine: the preparatory sessions held between 1970 and 1972; the main developments during the Conference itself; the Declaration of the 26 Principles, which laid the foundation for modern environmental law; the Action Plan for the Human Environment, containing 109 recommendations for global environmental management; and the institutional legacy of the Conference.