Early Environmental Policy

One of Holland's dikes

     Not all environmental policies down through the ages have been constructive.  Efforts to restrain the sea and drain coastal wetlands in Holland created disastrous flooding.  Clear-cutting of forests elsewhere in Europe led to erosion.  Early agricultural practices resulted in degradation of farmland so that it had to lay fallow before it could be used again.  These are all example of environmental practices and policies that were destructive in  some way.

A French Woodland

     The earliest example I found of a policy aimed at preservation is the Ordinance of Brunoy dated May 1346.  This document was a royal law issued by Philippe VI of Valois, King of France.  The edict authorized royal officers of the Eaux et Forets to supervise the exploitation of the royal forest's resources but it incorporated an important clause that required them to leave the forests in "good condition".  In the document, the King also attempted to limit deforestation on lands outside the royal holdings but he was met with resistance from Nobles and Parliament.