Human Rights Council 46th Session

Core Group Statement on the right to a healthy environment

Madam President,

The Human Rights Council adopted its first resolution on human rights and the environment in 2011. Since then, we have become more aware of the numerous complex linkages that exist between human rights and the environment. The involvement and participation of all concerned individuals and authorities have brought the cross sectoral links between human rights and environment to the forefront of discussions, within the wider UN membership as well.

According to the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, the number of states recognizing the right to a clean, safe, healthy and sustainable environment in various forms has grown over the past few years with more than 155 countries recognising this right, or elements of this right, in their national legal systems. Despite its various formulations, the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment is becoming universally recognised.

There is a global consensus on the degradation of the environment and the consequences it has on human life. We are all reminded by the current pandemic that the dignity, life, and health of all humans must be both protected and promoted without any discrimination. It is our belief that a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment is integral to the full enjoyment of human rights. Therefore the possible recognition of the right at a global level would have numerous important implications on what we leave to our future generations.

There are increasing calls for a global recognition of such a right from States, UN Representatives, experts, and civil society. We are committed to engaging in an open, transparent and inclusive dialogue with all States and interested stakeholders on a possible international recognition of the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

I thank you.

 

Government Co-sponsors

1. Costa Rica

2. Maldives

3. Switzerland

4. Morocco

5. Slovenia

6. Guatemala

7. Panama

8. Montenegro

9. Monaco

10. Albania

11. Kenya

12. San Marino

13. Marshall Islands

14. Kazakhstan

15. Liechtenstein

16. Nepal

17. Ireland

18. Bhutan

19. Uruguay

20. Peru

21. Chile

22. Ecuador

23. Madagascar

24. Bahamas

25. Luxembourg

26. Greece

27. Italy

28. Portugal

29. Spain

30. Republic of Korea

31. Palestine

32. Austria

33. Sierra Leone

34. Cape Verde

35. Bangladesh

36. Malaysia

37. Fiji

38. Germany

39. Slovakia

40. Ukraine

41. El Salvador

42. Honduras

43. Argentina

44. Malta

45. Cyprus

46. Denmark

47. Iceland

48. Poland

49. France

50. North Macedonia

51. Georgia

52. Paraguay

53. Tunisia

54. Lithuania

55. Finland

56. Romania

57. Estonia

58. Latvia

59. Sweden

60. Philippines

61. Barbados

62. Mexico

63. Croatia

64. Mauritius

65. Belgium

66. Central African Republic

67. Niger

68. Mali

69. Vanuatu