The precautionary principle is a well-established element of international
environmental policy, which is enshrined in several national and international laws, and is grounded in scientic rationality. The precautionary principle is not speculative, but it involves empirical evidence of a threat and applies an extrapolation from threat to possible impacts that is informed by scientifically understood causal mechanisms.
IPCP Policy Brief: The precautionary principle as an important element of the SPP’s work
