Stay informed: News and articles on our environment.

On Thursday 22 October 2020, Mam Fikile Ntshangase was assassinated in her home in front of her young grandson. Her crime? She was a leader who had resolved to stand with her community and say NO to the expansion of the Tendele coal mine in Somkhele, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. In her words: “I cannot sell out […]

June 2021 marks the tenth anniversary of the unanimous endorsement by the Human Rights Council of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). A major step forward in efforts to prevent and address business-related human rights abuse, they provide a global authoritative framework for State duties and business responsibilities to achieve the UNGPs’ vision of “tangible […]

Open opportunity to contribute to the preparation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 2021 Global Report on Environmental Rule of Law (2021 Global Report).  The concept note for the 2021 Global Report is attached. To support the 2021 Global Report, UNEP is hosting a “Researchathon”; a public call for inputs to solicit good practices […]

‘We Indigenous people are fighting to save the Amazon, but the whole planet is in trouble because you do not respect it. Dear presidents of the nine Amazonian countries and to all world leaders that share responsibility for the plundering of our rainforest, My name is Nemonte Nenquimo. I am a Waorani woman, a mother, […]

The first edition of the UN Environmental Rights Bulletin is now available! The UN Environmental Rights Bulletin is a joint OHCHR and UNEP quarterly publication which aims to provide key updates, experiences, best practices and information related to processes at the country, regional and global level of relevance to the human rights-environment nexus. This edition […]

“It is our believe that a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment is integral to the full enjoyment of a wide range of human rights, including the rights to life, health, food, water and sanitation. Therefore a possible recognition of the right at a global level could have numerous important implications on our and future […]

The present report is the first submitted by the current mandate holder of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Mary Lawlor. She outlines herein how she intends to approach and develop the subject of her mandate in the coming years. She presents her priorities and working methods and offers a brief overview of her […]

Statement from the NYC Bar Association calling for UN recognition of the right to a healthy environment. Long and detailed, and very useful in addressing questions about the recognition of the right to a healthy environment. Read the full statement: click here

Advocating for the international recognition of the right to a healthy environment at the Human Rights Council: Excellencies, We, the undersigned, are pleased to address this letter to you in your capacity as a member of the Human Rights Council core group on human rights and the environment. We have been delighted, over recent months, […]

The Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment, Dr. David Boyd, is working to provide additional clarity regarding the substantive rights and obligations that are essential to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment.   He has submitted reports on clean air, a safe climate, and a healthy biosphere, as well […]