In a ground breaking decision on Friday, October 8, 2021 the United
Nations Human Rights Council recognized the right to a clean,
healthy and sustainable environment.
Resolution 48/13 calls on the countries throughout the world to
work cooperatively in the implementation of this new right to a
healthy environment. The text of the regulation was proposed by
Costa Rica, the Maldives, Morocco, Slovenia and Switzerland and
passed with 43 favourable votes with Russia, India, China and Japan
abstaining.
Following the passing of resolution 48/13 a second resolution
was passed, Resolution 48/14, to focus on human rights impacts of
client change through the establishment of a Special Rapporteur1 dedicated to the issue. The passing
of these resolutions came only a couple of weeks prior to the UN
climate change summit, COP26 in Glasgow.
