Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Environmental Dimensions of Human Rights

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Environmental Human Rights and Climate Change

Abstract

There are many well-recognised human rights which, due to their subject matter and purpose, possess an environmental dimension. The impact of the environment on human rights can be direct, in that a polluted or damaged environment will directly impinge upon a person’s ability to enjoy their rights, or indirect, in that poor environmental conditions will impede a government’s capacity to protect and fulfil the rights of its citizens. These rights can form the basis of a legal claim where an individual or community alleges that environmental degradation, or the failure of government to address it, amounts to a violation of their human rights as guaranteed under law. This chapter will explain a number of specific human rights and the environmental dimensions they possess. It will also provide an overview of a number of key cases in this area from various human rights regimes. By identifying the breadth of environmental content already contained in human rights law, this chapter lays an important foundation for the argument developed in the book that future work in environmental rights should concentrate on expanding and clarifying these existing environmental dimensions, rather than on pursuing a standalone environmental right.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    The focus of this chapter is on the rights provided within the international and regional human rights regimes. Numerous countries also provide protection for human rights in their national constitutions and legislation, but these are not considered in this chapter. Chapter 3 will provide more detailed analysis of constitutional protections for environmental rights.

  2. 2.

    Currently these are Argentina, Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname and Uruguay.

  3. 3.

    For example, in the Case of the Indigenous Community of Xákmok Kásek v Paraguay (2010), claims relating to inadequate access to food and water were pursued under the scope of the right to life, recognised in Article 4 of the American Convention and Article 1 of the American Declaration to encompass a right to a dignified existence ([194]–[202]).

  4. 4.

    See also the Court’s judgment in the Case of Sawhoyamaxa Indigenous Community (2006), at [118].

References

Treaties and Legislation

  • African Charter of Human and Peoples’ Rights, 21 ILM 58, opened for signature June 27 1981, entered into force 21 October 1986

    Google Scholar 

  • American Declaration on the Rights and Duties of Man, OAS Res XXX, OEA/Ser.L./V.II.23, doc. 21, rev. 6 (1948), reprinted in Basic Documents Pertaining to Human Rights in the Inter-American System, OEA/Ser.L.V./II.82, doc. 6, rev. 1, 17

    Google Scholar 

  • American Convention on Human Rights, 1144 UNTS 123, opened for signature 22 November 1969, entered into force 18 July 1978

    Google Scholar 

  • Antarctic Treaty, 402 UNTS 71 opened for signature 1 December 1959, entered into force 23 June 1961

    Google Scholar 

  • Charter of the United Nations, opened for signature 26 June 1956, entered into force 24 October 1945

    Google Scholar 

  • Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters, 2161 UNTS 447, opened for signature 25 June 1998, entered into force 30 October 2001 (Aarhus Convention)

    Google Scholar 

  • Convention on Biological Diversity, 1760 UNTS 79, opened for signature 5 June 1992, entered into force 29 December 1993

    Google Scholar 

  • Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, 660 UNTS 195, opened for signature 7 March 1966, entered into force 4 January 1969

    Google Scholar 

  • Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, 1249 UNTS 13, opened for signature 18 December 1979, entered into force 3 September 1981

    Google Scholar 

  • Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1577 UNTS 3, opened for signature 20 November 1989, entered into force 2 September 1990

    Google Scholar 

  • European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, 213 UNTS 221, opened for signature 4 November 1950, entered into force 3 September 1953

    Google Scholar 

  • International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 999 UNTS 171, opened for signature 16 December 1966, entered into force 23 March 1976

    Google Scholar 

  • International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 993 UNTS 3, opened for signature 16 December 1966, entered into force 3 January, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  • Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, opened for signature, 16 December 1966, entered into force 23 March 1976

    Google Scholar 

  • Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, GA Res 63/117, adopted 10 December 2008, entered into force 5 May 2013

    Google Scholar 

  • Protocol to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, CETS No 009, opened for signature 20 March 1952, entered into force 18 May 1954

    Google Scholar 

  • United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, 1771 UNTS 107, opened for signature 9 May 1992, entered into force 21 March 1994

    Google Scholar 

Cases

  • Budayeva and others v Russia (European Court of Human Rights, Application Nos 15339/02, 21166/02, 20058/02, 11673/02 and 15343/02, 20 March 2008)

    Google Scholar 

  • Case of the Indigenous Community of Xákmok Kásek v Paraguay (Merits, Reparations and Costs) (2010) IACtHR Ser C No 214

    Google Scholar 

  • Di Sarno and others v Italy (European Court of Human Rights, Application no 30765/08, 10 April 2012)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dubetska v Ukraine (European Court of Human Rights, Application no 30499/03, 10 February 2011)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dzemyuk v Ukraine (European Court of Human Rights, Application no 42488/02, 4 September 2014)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fadeyeva v Russia [2005] IV Eur Court HR 255

    Google Scholar 

  • Gabcikovo-Nagymaros Project (Hungary v Slovakia) [1997] ICJ Rep 7, 91-92 (Vice-President Weeramantry)

    Google Scholar 

  • G and E v Norway (European Commission of Human Rights) (1983) 35 DR 30

    Google Scholar 

  • Giacomelli v Italy [2006] XII Eur Court HR 345

    Google Scholar 

  • Guerra v Italy [1998] I Eur Court HR 7

    Google Scholar 

  • Hatton and Others v UK (European Court of Human Rights, Application no 36022/97, 8 July 2003)

    Google Scholar 

  • Human Rights Committee, Communication No. 67/1980, U.N. Doc. CCPR/C/OP/1 at 20 (1984) (‘Port Hope Environmental Group v Canada’)

    Google Scholar 

  • Human Rights Committee, Communication No 167/1984, UN Doc CCPR/C/38/D/167/1984 (26 March 1990) (‘Lubicon Lake Band v Canada’)

    Google Scholar 

  • Human Rights Committee, Communication No 197/1985, UN Doc CCPR/C/33/D/197/1985 (27 July 1988) (‘Ivan Kitok v Sweden’)

    Google Scholar 

  • Inter-American Court of Human Rights. The Environment and Human Rights (State obligations in relation to the environment in the context of the protection and guarantee of the rights to life and to personal integrity—interpretation and scope of Articles 4(1) and 5(1) of the American Convention on Human Rights). Advisory Opinion OC-23/17 of November 15, 2017. Series A No. 23

    Google Scholar 

  • Kyrtatos v Greece [2003] VI Eur Court HR 257

    Google Scholar 

  • LCB v United Kingdom [1998] III Eur Court HR 49

    Google Scholar 

  • Lopez Ostra v Spain (1994) 303-C Eur Court HR (ser A)

    Google Scholar 

  • Maya Indigenous Community of the Toledo District v Belize, Case 12.053, Report 40/04, IACHR OEA/Ser.L/V/II.122 Doc 5 rev 1, 727 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayagna (Sumo) Awas Tingni Community v Nicaragua (Merits, reparations and costs) (2001) IACtHR (Ser C) No 79, [15] (‘Awas Tingni Case’)

    Google Scholar 

  • Moreno Gomez v Spain [2004] X Eur Court HR 327

    Google Scholar 

  • Powell and Rayner v United Kingdom (1990) 172 Eur Court HR (ser A)

    Google Scholar 

  • Saramaka People v Suriname (Preliminary Objections, Merits, Reparations and Costs) (2007) Ser C No 172

    Google Scholar 

  • Sawhoyamaxa Indigenous Community v Paraguay (Merits, Reparations and Costs) (2006) IACtHR (Ser C) No 146

    Google Scholar 

  • Shvidkiye v Russia (European Court of Human Rights, Application no 69820/10, 25 July 2017)

    Google Scholar 

  • Social and Economic Rights Action Center and the Center for Economic and Social Rights v Nigeria, Communication No 155/96 (2002) (‘Ogoniland decision’)

    Google Scholar 

  • Taskin v Turkey (Merits and Just Satisfaction) [2004] X Eur Court HR 179

    Google Scholar 

  • Tatar v Romania (European Court of Human Rights, Application no 67021/01, 27 January 2009)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yakye Axa Indigenous Community v Paraguay (Merits, Reparations and Costs) (2005) IACtHR (Ser C) No 125

    Google Scholar 

  • Yanomami Indians v Brazil, Case 7615, IACHR OEA/Ser.L/V/II.66 Doc 10 rev 1 (1985)

    Google Scholar 

International Documents

  • Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1999) General Comment 12: The right to adequate food (Article 11 of the Covenant) UN Doc E/C.12/1999/5 (12 May 1999)

    Google Scholar 

  • Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (2000) General Comment 14: The right to the highest attainable standard of health (Article 12 of the Covenant), UN Doc E/C.12/2000/4 (11 August 2000)

    Google Scholar 

  • Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (2003) General Comment 15: The Right to Water (Articles 11 and 12 of the Covenant) UN Doc E/C.12/2002/11 (20 January 2003)

    Google Scholar 

  • General Assembly Resolution 1514(XV), Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, 947th plen mtg (14 December 1960)

    Google Scholar 

  • Human Rights Committee (1994) General Comment 23: Article 27 (The rights of minorities) CCPR/C/21/REv.1/Add.5 (29 April 1994)

    Google Scholar 

  • Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (1983) Report on the Situation of Human Rights in Cuba, Seventh Report, OEA/Ser.L/V/II.61 Doc 29 rev 1 (4 October 1983)

    Google Scholar 

  • Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (1997) Report on the Situation of Human Rights in Ecuador, OEA/Ser.L/V/II.96, Doc 10 rev 1 (24 April 1997)

    Google Scholar 

  • Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (2009) Democracy and Human Rights in Venezuela, Doc OEA/Ser.L/V/II Doc 54 (30 December 2009)

    Google Scholar 

  • Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (2009) Indigenous and Tribal Peoples’ Rights over their Ancestral Lands and Natural Resources: Norms and Jurisprudence of the Inter-American Human Rights System, OEA/Ser.L/V/II Doc 56/09 (30 December 2009)

    Google Scholar 

  • Inter-American Court of Human Rights (2018) Advisory Opinion on Environmental Human Rights, OC-23/17. Official Summary (7 February 2018)

    Google Scholar 

  • Knox J (2012) Report of the Independent Expert on the Issue of Human Rights Obligations Relating to the Enjoyment of a Safe, Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment: Preliminary Report to the Human Rights Council, UN Doc A/HRC/22/43 (24 December 2012)

    Google Scholar 

  • Knox J (2014) Report of the Independent Expert on the Issue of Human Rights Obligations Relating to the Enjoyment of a Safe, Clean and Healthy Environment: Mapping Report, UN Doc No A/HRC/25/53 (30 December 2013) presented to the Human Rights Council 25th session, agenda item 3 (11 March 2014)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ksentini F (1994) Report of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, UN Doc E/CN.4/Sub.2/1994/9 (6 July 1994)

    Google Scholar 

  • Registrar, European Court of Human Rights (2009) Chamber Judgment Tatar v Romania (Press Release, 27 January 2009)

    Google Scholar 

  • United Nations Environment Programme, Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, Rio de Janeiro, UN Doc A/Conf.151/26 (14 June 1992)

    Google Scholar 

  • Universal Declaration of Human Rights, General Assembly Res 217A (III), UN GAOR, 3rd session, 183rd plen mtg, UN Doc A/810 (10 December 1948)

    Google Scholar 

Articles and Books

  • Atapattu S (2004) The public health impact of global environmental problems and the role of international law. Am J Law Med 30(2/3):283

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Birnie P et al (2009) International law and the environment, 3rd edn. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyle A (2006–2007) Human rights or environmental rights? A reassessment. Fordham Environ Law Rev 18:471

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyle A (2012) Human rights and the environment: where next? Eur J Int Law 23(3):613

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Knox J (2008–2010) Climate change and human rights law. Va J Int Law 50:163

    Google Scholar 

  • Martens M (2007) Constitutional rights to a healthy environment in Belgium. R Eur Comp Int Environ Law 16(3):287

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Merrills G (1996) Environmental protection and human rights: conceptual aspects. In: Boyle A, Anderson M (eds) Human rights approaches to environmental protection. Clarendon, Oxford, p 25

    Google Scholar 

  • Pedersen O (2008–2009) European environmental human rights and environmental rights: a long time coming? Georget Int Environ Law Rev 21:73

    Google Scholar 

  • Popovic NAF (1995–1996) In pursuit of environmental human rights: commentary on the draft declaration of principles on human rights and the environment. Columbia Hum Rights Law Rev 27: 487

    Google Scholar 

  • Popovic NAF (1996) Pursuing environmental justice with international human rights and state constitutions. Stanf Environ Law J 15:338

    Google Scholar 

  • Sands P (2003) Principles of international environmental law, 2nd edn. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Shelton D (1991–1992) Human rights, environmental rights and the right to environment. Stanf J Int Law 28:103

    Google Scholar 

  • Shelton D (2002) Environmental issues and human rights: multilateral treaties adopted between 1991 and 2001, paper delivered to Joint UNEP-OHCHR Expert Seminar on Human Rights and the Environment, Geneva 14–16 January 2002

    Google Scholar 

  • Shelton D (2008) Human rights and the environment: problems and possibilities. Environ Policy Law 38(1/2):41

    Google Scholar 

  • Shelton D (2010) Developing substantive environmental rights. J Hum Rights Environ 1(1):89

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Law, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    Bridget Lewis

Authors
  1. Bridget Lewis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bridget Lewis .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Lewis, B. (2018). Environmental Dimensions of Human Rights. In: Environmental Human Rights and Climate Change. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-1960-0_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-1960-0_2

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-13-1959-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-13-1960-0

  • eBook Packages: Law and CriminologyLaw and Criminology (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation