The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, as part of its 48th regular session, adopted a resolution on the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, the first formal recognition at the global level.
The initiative was proposed by five member states of the Human Rights Council: Costa Rica, Maldives, Morocco, Slovenia and Switzerland. At the meeting on 8 October 2021, four governments abstained from voting: China, India, Japan and Russia. The initiative was approved with 43 votes in favour (including Argentina) and none against.
In the text of CDH Resolution 48/13, the Council recognizes the human right to a “clean, healthy and sustainable environment” and encourages States a:
- develop capacities to protect the environment. The United Nations system and other agencies and actors, including civil society, business and national human rights institutions, will cooperate with each other in the implementation of the right;
- sharing good practices in compliance with the law and create synergies between the protection of human rights and the protection of the environment;
- Consider that efforts to protect the environment must fully respect other human rights obligations, including those related to gender equality;
- adopt policies for the enjoyment of the right, “including with respect to biodiversity and ecosystems”;
- take into account human rights obligations related to this right in the implementation of the SDGs.
In addition, the UN General Assembly is invited to consider the matter.
Also, according to the Resolution:
- Environmental degradation, climate change and unsustainable development constitute some of the most urgent and serious threats to the ability of present and future generations to enjoy human rights, including the right to life;
- The exercise of human rights is vital to the protection of a clean, healthy and sustainable environment;
- Therefore, additional measures must be taken for those who are particularly vulnerable to environmental damage;
- A clean, healthy and sustainable environment is fundamental to the enjoyment of all human rights.
The decision came weeks before the crucial climate change summit, COP26, which runs from October 31 to November 12 in the Scottish port city of Glasgow.
The issue will now be referred to the UN General Assembly in New York for consideration.system. (Resolution 48/13 adopted by the Human Rights Council)
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