Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Human Right to a Good Environment in International Law

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

  • 2145 Accesses

Abstract

One of the most compelling yet controversial areas of environmental human rights is the notion of a substantive right to an environment of a particular quality. Much has been written on the subject over the past 25 years, yet the debate as to its status, content, structure and effectiveness remains unsettled. This chapter explores in detail the idea of a standalone right to a good environment, one which is independent of other human needs or interests. Such a right, if it exits, could extend protection to natural places, ecosystems and biodiversity, without the need to demonstrate interference with any other human right. To date, such a right is not guaranteed within international human rights law, although some regional human rights treaties and soft-law instruments contain similar provisions, and variations can be found in several national constitutions, as identified in the previous chapter. As the discussion in this chapter demonstrates, there are a number of issues which will need to be resolved before the right is likely to achieve widespread recognition within international law. These include questions about whether a standalone right to a good environment would be supported by fundamental human rights theory, and whether it is possible to define the right in a way which makes it practically useful. In identifying these issues and clarifying the current status of the right, this chapter lays a foundation for further analysis in later chapters, including a consideration of how the right would apply in the context of climate change.

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 Oxford English Dictionary (2014) defines ‘good’ as “The most general and most frequently used adjective of commendation in English. Almost all uses convey the sense of being of a high (or at least satisfactory) quality, useful for some purpose (specified, implied, or generally understood), and worthy of approval.”

  2. 2.

    Fifty-three States have ratified the African Charter: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Cape Verde, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Comoros, Congo, Djibouti, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Kenya, Libya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Malawi, Mozambique, Mauritania, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, Niger, Rwanda, South Africa, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sao Tome and Principe, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

  3. 3.

    One other petition has been made to the Commission relating to article 24 but this was withdrawn (William A Courson v Zimbabwe, Communication No. 136/94 1994).

  4. 4.

    Sixteen States have ratified the San Salvador Protocol: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname and Uruguay.

  5. 5.

    Also known as the Brundtland Commission, named after its chair, Gro Harlem Brundtland, former Prime Minister of Norway.

  6. 6.

    In July 2018 the Human Rights Council appointed David Boyd to replace John Knox as Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment.

  7. 7.

    The UN General Assembly adopted resolution 72/277 on 14 May 2018, entitled “Towards a Global Pact for the Environment”. The Resolution requests the Secretary-General to report on gaps in international environmental law, and establishes a working group to consider the outcomes of that report and advise on measures to strengthen international environmental law.

References

Treaties and Legislation

  • Additional Protocol to the American Convention on Human Rights in the Area of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, OAS Treaty Series No 69, opened for signature November 17 1988, entered into force November 16 1999 (San Salvador Protocol)

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Arab Charter on Human Rights, opened for signature 22 May 2004, entered into force 15 March 2008. Reprinted in (2005) International Human Rights Report 12: 893

    Google Scholar 

  • Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, proclaimed 14 December 2000 (2000/C 364/01)

    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 

  • 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 

Cases

  • Anglo-Norwegian Fisheries (United Kingdom v Norway) [1951] ICJ Reports 116

    Google Scholar 

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

    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 

  • La Oroya Community v Peru (Admissibility), (2009) IACHR Case No 1473-06, Report No 76/09

    Google Scholar 

  • Military and Paramilitary Activities in and against Nicaragua (Nicaragua v United States of America) (Merits) [1986] ICJ Reports 14

    Google Scholar 

  • North Sea Continental Shelf (Federal Republic of Germany v Netherlands; Federal Republic of Germany v Denmark) [1969] ICJ Rep 4

    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 

International Documents

  • Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) ASEAN Human Rights Declaration, adopted 18 November 2012

    Google Scholar 

  • Council of Europe Committee of Ministers (2010) Reply to PACE Recommendation 1885, adopted at the 1088th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies (16 June 2010)

    Google Scholar 

  • Council of Europe Committee of Experts for the Development of Human Rights (2005) Final Activity Report on Human Rights and the Environment, Strasbourg, DH-DEV, 006rev (10 November 2005)

    Google Scholar 

  • General Assembly Resolution 45/94, Need to Ensure a Healthy Environment for the Well-being of Individuals, 68th plen mtg, UN Doc A/Res/45/94 (14 December 1990)

    Google Scholar 

  • General Assembly Resolution 2994 (XXVII), United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, 27th session, agenda item 27, UN Doc A/RES/27/2994 (15 December 1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • General Assembly Resolution 47/190, Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, 93rd plen mtg, UN Doc A/RES/47/190 (22 December 1992)

    Google Scholar 

  • General Assembly Resolution 57/253, World Summit on Sustainable Development, 57th session, agenda item 87(a), UN Doc A/Res/57/253 (21 February 2003)

    Google Scholar 

  • General Assembly Resolution 66/288, The Future We Want, 66th session, agenda item 19, UN Doc A/RES/66/288 (27 July 2012)

    Google Scholar 

  • Global Pact for the Environment (2017) Draft presented to United Nations General Assembly high level summit, 19 September 2017

    Google Scholar 

  • Human Rights Council Resolution 19/10, Human Rights and the Environment, UN Doc A/HRC/RES/19/10 (19 April 2012)

    Google Scholar 

  • Human Rights Council Resolution 28/11, Human Rights and the Environment, UN Doc A/HRC/RES/25/11 (7 April 2015)

    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)

    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 

  • Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development, UN Doc A/Conf.199/20 (4 September 2002)

    Google Scholar 

  • Knox J (2018) Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Issue of Human Rights Obligations Relating to the Enjoyment of a Safe, Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment, Report to the Human Rights Council (Advance Edited Version) 37th session, Agenda Item 3, UN Doc A/HRC/37/59 (24 January 2018)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ksentini F (1991) Preliminary Report of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, UN Doc E/CN.4/Sub.2/1991/8 (2 August 1991)

    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 

  • 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 (2013) 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)

    Google Scholar 

  • Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (2009), Drafting an additional protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights concerning the right to a healthy environment, Recommendation 1885, 32nd sitting (30 September 2009)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, Resolution 1990/7, UN Doc E/CN.4/Sub.2/1990/7 (30 August 1990)

    Google Scholar 

  • United Nations Environment Programme, Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, Stockholm, UN Doc A/CONF.48/14/Rev 1 (16 June 1972)

    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 

  • United Nations Environment Programme, Agenda 21: Programme of Action for Sustainable Development, UN Doc A/Conf.151/26 (14 June 1992)

    Google Scholar 

  • World Commission on Environment and Development (1987) Our Common Future, UN Doc A/42/427 (4 August, 1987)

    Google Scholar 

Articles and Books

  • Alston P (1982) Conjuring up new rights: a proposal for quality control. Am J Int Law 78(3):607

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alfredsson G, Ovsiouk A (1991) Human rights and the environment. Nordic J Int Law 60:19

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson M (1996) Human rights approaches to environmental protection: an overview. In: Boyle A, Anderson M (eds) Human rights approaches to environmental protection. Clarendon, Oxford, p 1

    Google Scholar 

  • Atapattu S (2002–2003) The right to a healthy life or the right to die polluted?: The emergence of a human right to a healthy environment under international law. Tulane Environ Law J 16:65

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyle A (1996) The role of international human rights law in the protection of the environment. In: Boyle A, Anderson M (eds) Human rights approaches to environmental protection. Clarendon, Oxford, p 43

    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 

  • Bratspies R (2015) Do we need a human right to a healthy environment? Santa Clara J Int Law 13:31

    Google Scholar 

  • Caney S (2009) Human rights, responsibilities and climate change. In: Beitz C, Goodin R (eds) Global basic rights. Oxford University Press, Oxford, p 227

    Google Scholar 

  • Centre for International Environmental Law (2012) Human rights and environment in the Rio+20 UN conference on sustainable development, Issues Brief. http://www.ciel.org/Publications/Rio+20_IssueBrief_Feb2012.pdf. Accessed 15 Feb 2012

  • Churchill R (1996) Environmental rights in existing human rights treaties. In: Boyle A, Anderson M (eds) Human rights approaches to environmental protection. Clarendon, Oxford, p 89

    Google Scholar 

  • Cullet P (1995) Definition of an environmental right in a human rights context. Neth Q Hum Rights 13:13

    Google Scholar 

  • Doelle M (2004) Climate change and human rights: the role of international human rights in motivating states to take climate change seriously. Macquarie J Int Comp Environ Law 1:179

    Google Scholar 

  • Donnelly J (1984) Human rights and development: complementary or competing concerns? World Polit 36(2):255

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Donnelly J (1985) In search of the unicorn: the jurisprudence and politics of the right to development. California West Int Law J 15:474

    Google Scholar 

  • Downs J (1993) A healthy and ecologically balanced environment: an argument for a third generation right. Duke J Comp Int Law 3:351

    Google Scholar 

  • Giorgetta S (2002) The right to a healthy environment, human rights and sustainable development. Int Environ Agreem Polit Law Econ 2:173

    Google Scholar 

  • Glazebrook S (2009) Human rights and the environment. Victoria Univ Wellington Law Rev 293

    Google Scholar 

  • Gormley WP (1975) The right of individuals to be guaranteed a pure, clean and decent environment: future programs for the council of Europe. Legal Issues in European, Integration, p 23

    Google Scholar 

  • Gormley WP (1990) The legal obligation of the international community to guarantee a pure and decent environment: the expansion of human rights norms. Georget Int Environ Law Rev 3:85

    Google Scholar 

  • Handl G (1992) Human rights and protection of the environment: a mildly ‘revisionist’ view’. In: Trindade A (ed) Human rights, sustainable development and the environment. Inter-American Institute of Human Rights, San Pedro, p 117

    Google Scholar 

  • Handl G (2001) Human rights and the protection of the environment. In: Eide A et al (eds) Economic, social and cultural rights. Martinus Nijhoff, Leiden, p 303

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayward T (2005) Constitutional environmental rights. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Higgins R (1994) Problems and process: international law and how we use it. Clarendon, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill BE et al (2004) Human rights and the environment: a synopsis and some predictions. Georget Int Environmental Law Review 16(3):359

    Google Scholar 

  • Hiskes RP (2009) The human right to a green future: environmental rights and intergenerational justice. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Hodkova I (1991) Is there a right to a healthy environment in the international legal order? Connect J Int Law 7:65

    Google Scholar 

  • Kiss A (1992) An introductory note on a human right to environment. In: Brown Weiss E (ed) Environmental change and international law: new challenges and dimensions. United Nations University Press, Tokyo, p 199

    Google Scholar 

  • Kiss A (1993) Concept and possible implications of the right to environment. In: Mahoney KE, Mahoney P (eds) Human rights in the twenty-first century: a global challenge. Martinus Nijhoff, Leiden, p 551

    Google Scholar 

  • Kiss A, Shelton D (2007) Guide to international environmental law. Martinus Nijhoff, Leiden

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Lee J (2000) The underlying legal theory to support a well-defined human right to a healthy environment as a principle of customary international law. Columbia J Environ Law 25:283

    Google Scholar 

  • Leib L (2011) Human rights and the environment: philosophical, theoretical and legal perspectives. Martinus Nijhoff, Leiden

    Google Scholar 

  • MacDonald KE (2008) A right to a healthful environment—humans and habitats. Eur Energy Environ Law Rev Aug, 213

    Google Scholar 

  • McClymonds JT (1992) The human right to a healthy environment: an international legal perspective. New York Law School Law Rev 37:583

    Google Scholar 

  • Marks SP (1980–1981) Emerging human rights: a new generation for the 1980s? Rutgers Law Rev 33:435

    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 

  • Nickel JW (1993) The human right to a safe environment: philosophical perspectives on its scope and justification. Yale J Int Law 18:281

    Google Scholar 

  • Oxford English Dictionary (2014) “good, adj., n., adv., and int.” Oxford University Press, 3rd ed, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Pedersen O (2010) Climate change and human rights: amicable or arrested development? J Hum Rights Environ 1(2):236

    Article  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 

  • Pevato P (1999) A right to environment in international law: current status and future prospects. Rev Eur Comp Int Environ Law 8(3):309

    Article  Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Redgwell C (1996) Life, the universe and everything: a critique of anthropocentric rights. In: Boyle A, Anderson M (eds) Human rights approaches to environmental protection. Clarendon, Oxford, p 71

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodriguez-Rivera LE (2001) Is the human right to environment recognised under international law? it depends on the source. Colorado J Int Environ Law Policy 12:1

    Google Scholar 

  • Sax JL (1990–1991) The search for environmental rights. J Land Use Environ Law 6:93

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Shelton D (1992) What happened in rio to human rights? Yearb Int Environ Law 3:75

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shelton D (2002) Note on decision regarding communication 155/96 (Social and Economic Rights Action Center/Center for Economic and Social Rights v Nigeria). Am J Int Law 96:937

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shelton D (2006) Human rights and the environment: what specific environmental rights have been recognized? Denver J Int Law Policy 35(1):129

    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 

  • Symonides J (1992) The human right to a clean, balanced and protected environment. Int J Legal Inf 20:24

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor PE (1998) From environmental to ecological human rights: a new dynamic in international law? Georget Int Environ Law Rev 10:309

    Google Scholar 

  • Thorme M (1991) Establishing environment as a human right. Denver J Int Law Policy 19(2):301

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner S (2004) The human right to a good environment: the sword in the stone. Non-State Actors Int Law 4:277

    Google Scholar 

  • Vanderheiden S (2008) Atmospheric justice: a political theory of climate change. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    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). The Human Right to a Good Environment in International Law. In: Environmental Human Rights and Climate Change. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-1960-0_4

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-1960-0_4

  • 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