Why The UN General Assembly Must Back The Right To A Healthy Environment

In late July, the UN General Assembly is expected to vote on a draft resolution recognizing the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. The resolution recognizes the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a human right essential for the full enjoyment of all human rights and, among others, calls upon States and international organizations to adopt policies and scale up efforts to ensure a clean, healthy and sustainable environment for all. The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, Mr. David Boyd, and other UN Experts and Special Rapporteurs, the UN Environment Programme chief Inger Andersen, as well as the High Commissioner of Human Rights, Michele Bachelet, have expressed their support for the recognition of the right to a healthy environment in the past months. Last June, the Stockholm+50 conference outcome also recommended that States “recognise and implement the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment”. This action is also included as a priority for UN Secretary-General António Guterres as reflected in Our Common Agenda and the Call to Action on Human Rights.

By UN News. July 22, 2022.

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