It’s not often, particularly these days it seems, that official texts in laws and treaties hit the nail quite so firmly on its head. But the European Landscape Convention did just that. 

“Landscape means an area, as perceived by people, whose character is the result of the action and interaction of natural and/or human factors.”

Twenty-five years on from its adoption in Florence in 2000, it remains a landmark framework for recognising landscapes as central to people’s quality of life, identity, and wellbeing. Its core principles that all landscapes matter, that people should be engaged in their stewardship, and that protection, management, and planning should be integrated continue to resonate deeply, and are key to tackling contemporary environmental and community issues across Europe.

The Convention’s inclusive definition of landscape encompasses the ordinary as well as the outstanding and has shaped thinking about how we value and manage places. In the UK, it has encouraged a shift from viewing National Landscapes purely as scenic assets to seeing them as living, working landscapes, where nature recovery, sustainable farming, and community prosperity and resilience are intertwined. The Convention’s emphasis on participation aligns strongly with our way of working; placing local people and partnerships at the heart of decision-making, echoing the Convention’s democratic spirit.

As the UK confronts challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and social inequality, the Convention’s vision feels more urgent than ever. Its call for integrated landscape policy offers a powerful framework for delivering joined-up action, linking nature recovery with adaptation, access, and cultural renewal.

The Convention also underscores the importance of international cooperation: even outside the EU, the UK remains part of this shared European endeavour as part of the Council of Europe. But even without membership, contributing to and learning from innovation elsewhere just makes sense.

Ultimately, the Convention’s enduring relevance lies in its insistence that landscapes are not static backdrops but dynamic, shared spaces reflecting the relationship between people and place. For the UK’s National Landscapes, its principles continue to inspire a holistic, participatory, and forward-looking approach to caring for the land, one that truly embodies the Convention’s spirit of stewardship and connection.