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, David R. Boyd, challenges the conventional wisdom that the Sustainable Development Goals are mere aspirations, by highlighting the extensive human rights obligations that underlie the Goals. This critical misunderstanding of the Goals as aspirational is a key reason for the failure to make progress towards the Goals. The right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, recently recognized by the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly, is identified as a catalyst for systemic changes and accelerated progress towards achieving the Goals. The Special Rapporteur details the steps needed to apply a rights-based approach to the climate emergency, the collapse of biodiversity, pervasive toxic pollution and the Goals. The Special Rapporteur also identifies sources of funds to close the financing gap with respect to the Goals, showcases good practices and makes recommendations regarding how States and businesses can achieve the Goals, leave no one behind, and fulfil their obligations and responsibilities related to the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.