The efficacy of the World Heritage Convention as a planning tool for the rigorous protection of natural sites

The World Heritage Convention, while not providing the rigorous protection advocated for natural sites like Canada's Rocky Mountain Parks, offers more advantages than disadvantages. It confers prestige and international recognition, reduces susceptibility to political or financial expediency, and provides informal monitoring by the IUCN. The Convention also leverages global attention and potential delisting threats to ensure durable protection of significant sites. This study evaluates its efficacy against ten criteria, including permitted activities, inclusiveness of designation purposes, strength of protection, and implementability. It highlights that while the Convention allows some resource extraction and motorized recreation, it remains a valuable tool for international advocacy, particularly for developed nations in protecting globally significant biomes.

Fraser, B. K. (2010). The efficacy of the World Heritage Convention as a planning tool for the rigorous protection of natural sites. University of British Columbia. https://doi.org/10.14288/1.0096699