Overview of the implementation of the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment : note / by the Secretary-General

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Table of Contents

• Seventy-ninth session Promotion and protection of human rights human rights questions including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms 1
• Overview of the implementation of the human right to a clean healthy and sustainable environment 1
• Note by the Secretary-General 1
• Report of the Special Rapporteur on the human right to a clean 2
• Overview of the implementation of the human right to a clean 2
• I. Introduction 3
• II. Recognition in universal and regional processes 4
• A. Historic development of the right to healthy environment at the 4
• United Nations 4
• B. Right to a healthy environment in multilateral negotiations 6
• C. Regional recognition of the right to a healthy environment 6
• D. Relevant international law developments 8
• III. Substantive and procedural elements of the right to a clean 9
• A. Procedural elements 9
• 1. Access to information 9
• 2. Public participation 10
• 3. Access to justice 11
• B. Substantive elements 12
• 1. Clean air 12
• 2. Safe climate 12
• 3. Safe and sufficient water 14
• 4. Healthy and sustainable food 14
• 5. Non-toxic environments 15
• 6. Healthy ecosystems and biodiversity 16
• IV. Main challenges of the implementation of the right to a 17
• A. Economic model and unsustainable development 17
• B. Current and worsening consequences of the triple planetary crises 17
• C. Weak rule of law 18
• D. Weakening of existent policies legal frameworks and institutions 19
• E. Limitations to access to information participation and justice 19
• F. War conflict and illegal activities 19
• G. Increased risks for environmental human rights defenders and 20
• V. Challenges faced by people and groups in situations 20
• A. Women and girls 22
• B. Young people and children 22
• C. Indigenous Peoples 22
• VI. Conclusions 23
• A. Transform the economy 23
• B. Advance the legal recognition of the right to a 24
• C. Implementing existing frameworks and strengthening the rule 24
• D. Reviewing and updating frameworks with the human right to a 24
• E. Intersectional approach 25
• F. Way forward for the mandate 25
• VII. Recommendations 26
• On the basis of the overview presented above the Special Rapporteur recommends that States 26
• Effectively implement legal frameworks and policies in line with 26
• Review update and harmonize international national and 26
• Recognize the right to a healthy environment in national jurisdictions 26
• Support the mainstreaming of the right to a healthy environment in 26
• Expand agreements on access to information participation and access 26
• Promote intersectionality while eliminating systemic exclusion and 26
• Improve the protection of environmental defenders implementing 26
• The Special Rapporteur recommends that States international 26
• Improve the monitoring of the status of implementation of the right to 26
• Implement transformational changes on the basis of the 27
• Avoid false solutions including greenwashing maladaptation and 27
• Expand effective monitoring and control to businesses eliminating 27
• Implement the precautionary principle and other international law obligations to effectively protect the environment and avoid degradation while introducing and complying with strong regulations. 27