Thread by @JohnHKnox

In recent weeks, the UN has moved closer than ever before to recognizing the human right to a healthy and sustainable environment (R2E). This (lengthy) thread highlights some of the most important developments. 1/16
universal-rights.org/blog/thetimeis…

On Feb 23, @URGthinktank launched a policy report entitled #TheTimeIsNow making the case for global recognition of the R2E, which was co-authored by @SREnvironment David Boyd, @marc_limon and myself. universal-rights.org/urg-policy-rep… 2/

At the report launch, High Commissioner @mbachelet, UNEP head @andersen_inger, @UNICEF head Henrietta Fore, foreign ministers of Fiji, Costa Rica, Maldives & ambassadors of Germany and Switzerland all agreed #TheTimeIsNow to recognize the right. 3/16

During the first, high-level week of this session of the Human Rights Council, others joined them in urging the importance of environmental rights – including the foreign ministers of Italy, Portugal and, perhaps most consequentially, China. 4/16

On March 9, @UNEP delivered a landmark statement on behalf of 15 UN agencies, including @ILO, @UNDP, @UNICEF, @UN_Women, @WHO, @Refugees (UNHCR), @eclac_un, and @UNECE strongly urging global recognition of the R2E. 5/16
unep.org/news-and-stori…

The call of 1100+ civil organizations to the UN “to recognize the right of all to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment” was delivered by 28 organizations including @hrw, @Earthjustice, @ciel_tweets, @FranciscansIntl, @amnesty, @fidh_un, @CRINwire, @MinorityRights

Costa Rica, 4 other core group countries, and 65 other States said a "safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment is integral to the full enjoyment of human rights” and committed to discuss with States and stakeholders recognition of the right. 7/16

https://twitter.com/CRONUGVA/status/1369235006888030211

In this light, the resolution finally adopted by the Council on March 23 may have seemed a little disappointing. Because of resistance from some States, including the US and UK, it did not refer specifically to the right to a healthy environment. 8/16 ap.ohchr.org/documents/dpag…

The resolution did other important things, however, including renew the mandate of @SREnvironment for three more years and ask him to convene an expert seminar this year on the role of human rights and conservation in the prevention of pandemics. 9/16

https://twitter.com/duycks/status/1374363287714938887

David Boyd will identify good practices and press States to do better, including via amicus briefs: “if you do things well you can be highlighted in a good practices report. If you're not fulfilling your obligations, then you can end up in the courtroom”
genevasolutions.news/climate/i-m-no…

The resolution also calls on States to conserve ecosystems and biodiversity by applying “a human rights-based approach", and to consider “measures that respect and protect the rights of those who are particularly vulnerable to the loss of healthy ecosystems and biodiversity.” 11/

This language is particularly important in the run-up to the next @UNBiodiversity COP in China in October, especially in light of the recent @FAO report re-confirming that protection of indigenous rights is key to ensuring effective conservation. theguardian.com/environment/20… 12/16

Still, the Council session may be chiefly remembered for the fact that this is the first time that so many States, UN agencies, and civil society organizations have come together to endorse UN recognition of the right to a healthy environment. 13/16 genevasolutions.news/climate/un-clo…

Even in the US, the Environmental Justice for All Act (introduced on Mar 18) has "the right of all people to clean air, safe and affordable drinking water, protection from climate hazards, and the sustainable preservation of the ... natural environment.”
grist.org/equity/democra…

Movements are also afoot in a number of US. states to amend their state constitutions to include a right to a healthy environment. New York’s proposed amendment will be up for ratification by the general public in November. 15/16 nrdc.org/experts/corinn…

Of course, most countries in the world have already recognized the right to a healthy environment in national constitutions or regional agreements – and many are seeing its benefits.

The UN should do the same. Hopefully, soon, it will.
16/16

bbc.com/future/article…