Summary

The Special Rapporteur on the implications for human rights of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes, Marcos Orellana, visited Australia from 28 August to 8 September 2023. The report contains the Special Rapporteur’s findings and recommendations to the Government.

The Special Rapporteur welcomes the leadership by Australia in various international arrangements on chemicals and wastes, including on plastic pollution. The Special Rapporteur also welcomes steps toward a chemically safe circular economy, including bans on the export of certain waste streams, and legislation for the environmentally sound management of chemicals.

The Special Rapporteur takes note of acute toxic challenges facing the country. The toxic impacts of coal mines and coal-fired power plants, uranium mines, hazardous pesticides, radioactive wastes, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and waste incineration projects pose serious threats to the environment and to the health of affected communities. If allowed to go forward, proposed petrochemical and oil and gas projects would aggravate the global climate emergency.

The Special Rapporteur offers several recommendations for the recognition and implementation of the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment in Australia.