INC.SANITY

GANHRI welcomes global recognition of the right to healthy environment as universal human right, and calls for its implementation at national and local levels

July 28th, 2022 – The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution recognising a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment as a universal human right.

The UN global body has adopted by a vote of 161 in favor, 0 against and 8 abstaining, the wide-ranging resolution globally recognizing the right to a healthy environment as a universal human right. The decision marks a ‘historical’ move forward, following the adoption of the resolution at the Human Rights Council last October.

The UNGA resolution implies upon the valuable connection between the enjoyment of all human rights and the health of our environment. GANHRI members worldwide join voices from states, civil society, indigenous peoples, business actors and UN agencies in welcoming the landmark resolution and calling on its implementation in all jurisdictions worldwide.

“To survive and thrive, we must invest in environmental and social protection centred in human rights; hold governments and businesses duly to account for environmental harms; empower all people to act as agents of change for a healthy environment; and recognize and uphold the rights of those most affected by environmental degradation,” commented the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet in a press release.

Although the adoption is not legally binding on the 193 UN member states, it sets an important precedent, pressuring countries to translate the right to a healthy and sustainable environment into their national constitutions and regional treaties. Furthermore, the adoption provides supporters and environmental human rights defenders further reasoning to challenge ecologically destructive policies and projects.

Throughout this process, NHRIs will play a vital role in promoting human rights-based climate action in accordance with the Paris Principles, by reporting to and advising government bodies as well as other stakeholders on a human rights-based approach to translate the promises of the resolution into lived realities for the people on the ground. This will include offering advice on drafting legislation and legal reforms related to environment issues in line with international standards, monitoring their implementation, handling complaints, and holding duty bearers to account.

NHRIs also will play an important role in protecting the rights and promoting the meaningful participation of marginalized and disadvantaged groups and communities particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including women, children, persons with disabilities, those living in extreme poverty, indigenous peoples, and displaced persons. Alongside which, they will advocate for the work of Environmental Human Rights Defenders who often face various forms of violence and prosecution in defending rights against adverse climate and environmental impacts. Tying in closely with NHRIs responsibility to bring the topic of climate change into the discussion on business and human rights, as to promote the involvement of businesses in contributing towards climate innovation and solutions, as well as to prevent and address negative business-related human rights impacts from climate change.

GANHRI and its international members have been long supporting and monitoring the development of the resolution, in alliance with their pledge to engage in climate action processes jointly and proactively. NHRIs, across all regions, will persist in advising states, whilst monitoring and reporting on their performance on environmental and climate change issues.

GANHRI is resolved to continue supporting NHRIs in applying their unique mandate to work at the national level, towards an informed and human rights-based approach to climate action and justice.

For this purpose, GANHRI and its Climate Caucus partners, with a special collaboration from the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change, Ian Fry, will organize a side-event focusing on NHRIs and climate change in advance of COP27. During the event, to be held in November 2022, various topics will be addressed, including but not limited to the role of NHRIs in monitoring the climate change commitments taken by States under the SDG and the Paris Agreement.

---