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Biosphère reserves, designated by UNESCO in the framework of the MAB (Man and the Biosphère) Programm, were created to promote a new approach to conservation, different from the traditional notion of national parks. the idea is to associate the populations concerned and to demonstrate that conservation can go along with the use of natural resources. Biosphere reserves are also sites devoted to research and monitoring of biological diversity. The word network that they constitue aims to represent ecological Systems of major biogeographic regions, as well as différent forms of human intervention. It facilitates co-operative research and exchange of information. With the adoption by the UNESCO general Conference of a resolution defining statutes for the Network, it is now provided with rules of functioning which have been accepted by all Member States and has gained an enhanced visibility.

Natural areas of interest for their ecology, flora or fauna (« ZN.I.EF.F.s »), the main element of the national inventory of natural heritage, raise many questions about their legal character and scope. In response to these questions, the State has tried to make up for the lack of original formalization but has not managed to do so completely because their legal doctrine is itself somewhat ambiguous. Nevertheless, the fact that the pioneers of the inventory were not wholly clear about these questions does not prevent the Z.N.I.EF.F. from being considered as administrative documents comprising straightforward expert evaluations. However, their use by administrative courts has provoked strong reactions, although an analysis of the case-law clearly shows that Z.N.I.E.F.F.s have only been used by these courts as instruments demonstrating the ecological value of some habitats. It remains to be seen whether the second generation of ZN.I.EF.F.s, now in the course of preparation, will be able to be used in legal proceedings in this way.

The contemporary era has seen the proliferation of private codes of conduct in the field of the environment, of which the Charter for Sustainable Development is the best known example. At first sight, the commitments contained in these codes have no legal effect. They would appear to be mere declarations of principles which are not subject to judicial sanctions. However, to refuse to consider these private codes of conduct as a source of law creates a danger with regard to regulation of the environmental sector. The existence of codes of conduct may encourage the State not to intervene, or to intervene less, in the knowledge that companies regulate themselves. If one does not acknowledge the legally binding character of codes of conduct, less of the State may lead to excessive freedom for business. It is possible to confer legal effect upon codes of conduct The legal System is equipped to make them legally finding, particularly through the classic legal principles of liability and good faith.

In the light of the final déclaration and the action programm adopted in Istanbul at the second Habitat Conference, two main issues will be underlined in this study : - On the one hand, the benefits of this conference regarding the two fundamental topics retained by the States, the right to accomodation and sustainable development of Human Settlements ; - On the other hand, the importance of this conference for the development and practices of international law. The role of United Nations Centre for human settlements and the evolution perspectives of human settlements are linked to the will and to the means developed by the states.