Purpose of the Mandate
The mandate on human rights and the environment exists to:
- examine the human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment
- promote best practices of the use of human rights in environmental policymaking
- Identify challenges and obstacles to the global recognition and implementation of the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment
- Conduct country visits and respond to human rights violations
Learn about
why a healthy environment is integral to fully enjoying a wide range of human rights
About the mandate
The Human Rights Council established the mandate for the Independent Expert on human rights and the environment in 2012 (resolution 19/10). Mr. John Knox was appointed the first Independent Expert on human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment for a three year term. His mandate was further extended in March 2015 as a Special Rapporteur for another three years (resolution 28/11). In March 2018, the Human Rights Council further extended the mandate (resolution 37/8) and appointed Mr. David. R. Boyd as the Special Rapporteur for three years. In March 2021 the Human Rights Council extended the mandate for another three years (resolution 46/7).
Learn
what the Special Rapporteur is mandated to do, and see resolutions related to the environment
Current Mandate Holder
David R. Boyd is an associate professor of law, policy, and sustainability at the University of British Columbia. He has a PhD in Resource Management and Environmental Studies from UBC, a law degree from the University of Toronto, and a business degree from the University of Alberta. His career has included serving as the executive director of Ecojustice, appearing before the Supreme Court of Canada, and working as a special advisor on sustainability for Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin.
Read David R. Boyd's full biography
Key Documents
Framework Principles
These 16 principles set out the basic obligations of States under human rights law as they relate to the enjoyment of a safe and healthy environment.
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Illustrated version PDF in
English
Good practices on the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment
The Special Rapporteur provides a study on good practices in the implementation and promotion of the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment.
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Materials on the substantive elements of the right to a healthy environment based on thematic reports to HRC and GA
Clean air
Summary of A/HRC/40/55 - Watch the
video
Safe climate
Summary of A/74/161 - Watch the
video
Healthy ecosystems and biodiversity
Summary of A/75/161 - Watch the
video
Safe and sufficient water
Summary of A/HRC/46/28 - Watch the
video
Healthy and sustainable food
Summary to come
Non-toxic environment
Summary of A/HRC/49/53
Executive summary of report A/73/188 on the right to a healthy environment, factsheet and
video
Latest Thematic Reports
Non Toxic environment to live, work, study and play: In the present report, the Special Rapporteur on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment, with the collaboration of the Special Rapporteur on the implications for human rights of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes, Marcos Orellana – identifies a non-toxic environment as one of the substantive elements of the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment. View document
A/HRC/49/53
Healthy and sustainable food: reducing the environmental impacts of food systems on human rights: In this report, the Special Rapporteur, identifies healthy and sustainable food as one of the substantive elements of the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment.
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A/76/179.
Human rights and the global water crisis: In this report, the Special Rapporteur looks into the human rights impacts of water pollution, water scarcity and water-related disasters and describes safe and sufficient water as one of the substantive components of the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment.
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A/HRC/46/28
Healthy Biosphere: In this report the Special Rapporteur explores the relationship between a healthy biosphere and the right to a healthy environment.
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A/75/161 |
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Good practices on the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment: The Special Rapporteur provides a study on good practices in the implementation and promotion of the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment.
View report page | View document
A/HRC/43/53
Safe climate: The Special Rapporteur illustrates the devastating effects of the current global climate, and the crucial role for human rights in catalyzing action to address climate change.
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A/74/161
Clean air and the right to a healthy and sustainable environment: In this report, the Special Rapporteur explores the right to breathe clean and the negative impact of air pollution on the enjoyment of many human rights.
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A/HRC/40/55 |
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Latest Country Reports
Mission to Norway (12-23 September 2019)
View document
A/HRC/43/53/Add.2
Mission to Fiji (7-18 December 2018)
View document A/HRC/43/53/Add.1
