Good practices on the right to a healthy environment

Report of the Special Rapporteur on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment (A/HRC/43/53) (2020)

In this report, the Special Rapporteur, Mr. David Boyd, provides a study on good practices specifically related to the implementation and promotion of the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment (a right now legally recognized by more than 150 States).

Summary of the report

The report, presented to the Human Rights Council in March 2020, shows a remarkably diverse array of actions that can deliver cleaner air, improved access to safe water and adequate sanitation, and sustainably-produced food, healthy environments and a safe climate.

In addition to the main report, the Special Rapporteur presented additional good practices (Annex III) and a series of annexes summarizing the status of the right to a healthy environment in the constitutions, legislation and regional treaties for each UN region:

• Annex IV – Africa
• Annex V – Asia-Pacific
• Annex VI – Eastern Europe
• Annex VII – Latin America and the Caribbean
• Annex VIII – Western Europe and Others

Read the Right to a Healthy Environment: Good Practices report (A/HRC/43/53), available in all 6 UN official languages.

In preparation of the report

The Special Rapporteur hosted an experts’ seminar on experience and good practices of States at the national and regional levels with regard to human rights obligations relating to the environment.

Get the summary of the meeting report A/HRC/43/54

The Special Rapporteur also sought inputs from States and other stakeholders on this important topic through responses to the brief questionnaire below.

Access the questionnaire (English | French | Spanish)

Submissions to the questionnaire are now available.