GreenPole
  • Menu Canvas
    • Home
    • Projects
    • NEWS
      • Georgia
      • World
    • Discovery
    • Our Team
    • Contact
    • English
      • ქართული
GreenPole
  • Home
  • Projects
  • NEWS
    • Georgia
    • World
  • Discovery
  • Our Team
  • Contact
  • English
    • ქართული

Access to a healthy environment, declared a human right by UN rights council

Homepage Discovery Access to a healthy environment, declared a human right by UN rights council
World, Discovery

Access to a healthy environment, declared a human right by UN rights council

December 13, 2021
By GREENPOLE
0 Comment
161 Views

In resolution 48/13, the Council called on States around the world to work together, and with other partners, to implement this newly recognised right.

The text, proposed by Costa Rica, the Maldives, Morocco, Slovenia and Switzerland, was passed with 43 votes in favour and 4 abstentions – from Russia, India, China and Japan.

At the same time, through a second resolution (48/14), the Council also increased its focus on the human rights impacts of climate change by establishing a Special Rapporteur dedicated specifically to that issue.

‘Bold action’

In a statement, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, called on Member States to take bold actions to give prompt and real effect to the right to a healthy environment.

Ms. Bachelet said that, having long called for such a step, she was “gratified” that the decision “clearly recognises environmental degradation and climate change as interconnected human rights crises.”

“Bold action is now required to ensure this resolution on the right to a healthy environment serves as a springboard to push for transformative economic, social and environmental policies that will protect people and nature,” she added.

At the beginning of the current session of the Human Rights Council, the High Commissioner described the triple planetary threats of climate change, pollution and nature loss as the single greatest human rights challenge of our era.

The new resolution acknowledges the damage inflicted by climate change and environmental destruction on millions of people across the world. It also underlines that the most vulnerable segments of the population are more acutely impacted.

The issue will now go to the UN General Assembly in New York, for further consideration.

 

Decades-long effort

Following the passage of the resolution, Michelle Bachelet paid tribute to the efforts of a diverse array of civil society organisations, including youth groups, national human rights institutions, indigenous peoples’ organizations, businesses and many others.

The High Commissioner also noted that an unprecedented number of environmental human rights defenders were reported killed last year, urging Member States to take firm measures to protect and empower them.

“We must build on this momentum to move beyond the false separation of environmental action and protection of human rights. It is all too clear that neither goal can be achieved without the other”, she said.

Costa Rica’s ambassador Catalina Devandas Aguilar, one of the co-sponsors of the resolution, said the decision will “send a powerful message to communities around the world struggling with climate hardship that they are not alone”.

The decision comes weeks before the crucial UN climate change summit, COP26, happening in early November in Glasgow.

According to World Health Organization (WHO), 24% of all global deaths, roughly 13.7 million deaths a year, are linked to the environment, due to risks such as air pollution and chemical exposure.

 

Source : news.un.org

ნახვები : 2 2 წუთის საკითხავი

Previous Story
Why air quality matters in sporting life
Next Story
Vehicles, Air Pollution, and Human Health

Leave your comment Cancel Reply

(will not be shared)

Recent Posts

  • Climate policies are 50% more effective when they consider air pollution
  • Department of Ecology seeking public comment on water quality changes
  • Climate Change Is Destroying Ancient Rock Art
  • NORTH AMERICA’S FIRST SANCTUARY FOR RESCUED WHALES SET TO OPEN IN 2023
  • Major Fashion, Outdoor Wear Companies to Phase Out PFAS
Alone
  • Call Us: + 995 551 858 858
  • greenpoleorg@gmail.com
  • Tbilisi , Georgia
Copyright ©2020 GREENPOLE. All Rights Reserved
SearchPostsLogin
Sunday, 9, Jan
Climate policies are 50% more effective when they consider air pollution
Sunday, 9, Jan
Department of Ecology seeking public comment on water quality changes
Friday, 7, Jan
Climate Change Is Destroying Ancient Rock Art
Tuesday, 4, Jan
NORTH AMERICA’S FIRST SANCTUARY FOR RESCUED WHALES SET TO OPEN IN 2023
Saturday, 1, Jan
Major Fashion, Outdoor Wear Companies to Phase Out PFAS
Monday, 20, Dec
‘Heartbreaking’ Madagascar is wake-up call to climate crisis

Welcome back,