Top Posts
Nigerian government validates NAP document to address climate...
Scientists in Switzerland say 1.5C climate change goal...
Over 45,000 march in The Hague, demanding action...
Study shows global warming reshaping extreme rainfall, snowfall...
African climate change projects secure major funding
Former French PM urges China, Europe to unite...
NDDC, FOSDO launch tree-planting campaign to address climate...
WHO unveils an ambitious blueprint for action on...
New report shows nearly 900 million poor people...
Lagos to Host 2025 International Climate Change Summit
EcoNai Newsroom
  • Newsround
  • Nigeria
  • Africa
  • World
World

UN urges governments to crystallise right to healthy environment

by Matthew Eloyi April 4, 2023
written by Matthew Eloyi April 4, 2023
530

In a resolution that provoked hostilities between supporter nations and the US, the UN Human Rights Council has urged governments to adopt laws and policies that would implement the right to a healthy environment.

The resolution adopted on Tuesday, championed by Costa Rica, the Maldives, Morocco, Slovenia, and Switzerland, stresses the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment and calls on governments to defend those working to safeguard it. Additionally, it requests support from UN treaty organizations for its implementation.

The UN’s previous special rapporteur on human rights and the environment, John Knox, who is also a professor of International Law at Wake Forest University School of Law, said it signals a shift from simply recognizing the right “to actually starting to take steps to implement it.”

Also, Sébastien Duyck, human rights and climate campaign manager at the Center for International Environmental Law said “It identifies concrete steps to make this right a reality, beginning with protecting environmental defenders and communities facing the deadly impacts of the ongoing triple planetary crisis.”

Read Also: Official says India needs to promote local manufacturing to meet renewable energy transition goal

At the last minute, it had been anticipated that the US would abandon its backing for the resolution and urge others to do the same, forcing a vote. But, after late-night deliberations, it decided to change its mind.

According to Duyck, the US presumably realized that isolating itself on “such an important resolution” would be untenable from a diplomatic and public relations standpoint.

US Ambassador Michèle Taylor said in a statement to the council on Tuesday that her country has long recognised the link between environmental protection and human rights and has continued to support the development of a legal right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment in a manner that is consistent with international law.

However, she added that because her country had serious reservations about the resolution getting in front of the correct advancement of such a right, it would disassociate from consensus on the matter.

Story was adapted from Climate Home News

EnvironmentUN
0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
admineconai

previous post
US govt endows new funds for clean energy initiatives on coal
next post
Rich countries agree to give “green” projects better export finance

Related Posts

Scientists in Switzerland say 1.5C climate change goal...

October 27, 2025

Over 45,000 march in The Hague, demanding action...

October 27, 2025

Study shows global warming reshaping extreme rainfall, snowfall...

October 27, 2025

Former French PM urges China, Europe to unite...

October 22, 2025

WHO unveils an ambitious blueprint for action on...

October 20, 2025

New report shows nearly 900 million poor people...

October 20, 2025

New study shows overheating world will add 57...

October 16, 2025

Heaviest monsoon in a decade kills 458 people...

October 9, 2025

Council releases first fully electric bin lorry

October 9, 2025

Study shows US asthma inhalers produce same emissions...

October 7, 2025

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Newsletter

Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. Let's stay updated!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Bloglovin
  • Vimeo

@2021 - All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by Eco-Nai+

EcoNai Newsroom
  • Newsround
  • Nigeria
  • Africa
  • World