Feb 23 2021
Past event

#TheTimeIsNow -The case for universal recognition of the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment

 

Background

In recent years, there has been growing interest in, and movement towards, universal recognition of the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment (R2E). Over one hundred national constitutions and several regional human rights agreements now recognise this right. This important historical shift is based on a recognition that a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment is necessary to human dignity, equality and freedom. Still, the United Nations is yet to acknowledge that all human beings have the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment. This situation might, nonetheless, be about to change.

This new URG policy report tells the story of international discussions on human rights and environment, human rights and climate change, and the push for R2E, describing the broad normative contours of such a right, and explaining the benefits, for humanity, the environment and the climate, that would accrue from universal recognition. The report ends with a simple recommendation to UN member States: to make a final push to secure universal recognition of R2E, via a Council resolution followed by a resolution at the General Assembly.

It seems clear that the momentum built over the past five decades, coupled with the large number of countries that have already recognised R2E, and the greater public awareness of the crucial inter-relationship between human rights and the environment that has emerged due to the climate crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, together mean #TheTimeIsNow.

 

Objectives

The aim of the event is to present the report ‘The case for universal recognition of the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment’, by David Boyd, John Knox and Marc Limon; highlight that an important window of opportunity now exists to make a final push to secure universal recognition of R2E in 2021, via a Human Rights Council resolution followed by a General Assembly resolution; show how the content of a human right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment has already been largely developed; and discuss how recognition of R2E would contribute to a variety of positive procedural and substantive outcomes, ranging from increased public participation in environmental management, to cleaner air and water.

 

Draft agenda

Welcome by the moderator, Mr Marc Limon, Executive Director, Universal Rights Group

  • High-level opening remarks by E. Mr Jioji Konousi Konrote, President of Fiji (5 minutes)
  • High-level opening remarks by H.E. Mr Rodolfo Solano Quirós, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica (5 minutes)
  • High-level opening remarks by H.E. Mr Abdulla Shahid, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives (5 minutes)
  • High-level opening remarks by H.E. Ms Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High-Commissioner for Human Rights (5 minutes)
  • High-level opening remarks by H.E. Ms Henrietta H. Fore, Executive Director of UNICEF (5 minutes)
  • High-level opening remarks by H.E. Ms Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP (5 minutes)

Presentation of the report and open moderated discussion

  • Mr David Boyd, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment
  • Mr John Knox, former UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment
  • Ms Phyllis Omido, environmental human rights defender, Kenya

The moderator will ask one question to each panellist, followed by questions and answers from the audience (via the chat room)

Closing remarks, Mr Marc Limon, Executive Director, Universal Rights Group.

 

The report will be made available online.

To attend, please register here. 

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  • Feb 23rd 2021
  • 16:00 - 17:30
  • Public event