HRC: Human rights and Environment

After its decision in March 2012, the Human Rights Council has appointed an Independent Expert on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment (Resolution 19/10). John Knox began his mandate in August 2012 and will submit his first report to the 22^nd session of the Human Rights Council in March 2013. 

Building on several other resolutions related to human rights and the environment and human rights and climate change, resolution 19/10 requests the Independent Expert to, among other things:
· Study the human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment, in consultation with relevant stakeholders;
· Identify and promote best practices on the use of human rights obligations and commitments to inform, support and strengthen environmental policy making and prepare a compendium of best practices; and
· Make recommendations that could help the realization of the Millennium Development Goals, in particular Goal 7, and contribute a human rights perspective to the Rio +20 follow-up process.

World Water Forum Declaration

The 6th World Water Forum concluded with adoption of the Marseille Ministerial Declaration. Among reiterating commitment to the UN/MDGs and recognizing the need to build resilience to climate change and variability through integrated land and water resources management, the Declaration calls for the following priorities to be addressed, in particular at UNCSD,(Rio+20): - accelerating the implementation of "human right obligations" relating to access to safe drinking water and sanitation;
- interlinking water, energy, and food security to ensure policy coherence to avoid adverse consequences; and
- incorporating water in all its economic, social and environmental dimensions in a framework of governance, financing and cooperation.

Principles on Extraterritorial Obligations

The Maastricht Principles on Extraterritorial Obligations (ETO) of States in the area of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights are the outcome of deliberations of a group of 40 experts in international law and human rights. They seek to clarify the human rights obligations of States beyond their own borders and cover all economic, social and cultural rights, including among others the right to just and favourable conditions of work, social security, an adequate standard of living, food, housing, water, sanitation, health, education and participation in cultural life.

UN/HRC: Resolution on Climate Change

The Human Rights Council closed its 18th regular session, adopting 33 texts on a wide range of issues, including a resolution on human rights and climate change (A/HRC/18/L26/Rev.1). Therein, the Council reiterates its concern that climate change poses an immediate and far-reaching threat to people and communities around the world, and has adverse implications for the full enjoyment of human rights.

UN/HRC: Right to Water and Sanitation

The UN Human Rights Council has adopted, by consensus, a resolution on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation (A/HRC/18/L1).

UN/GA: Human Right to Water and Sanitation

The UN/GA has concluded its debate on challenges to achieving the human right to water and sanitation in the context of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), with some delegates stressing the impact of climate change on the realization of this right, in particular in least developed countries (LDCs) and small island developing States (SIDS)

Press Release

Climate Change and Human Rights Conference

The Bar Council of Uttarakhand and and the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies of India will host a conference titled: ClimateChange and Human Rights: In the Light of Indian Constitution on 13-14 August at Uttarakhand Academy of Administration in Nainital (India).
The conference will bring together leading experts, policymakers and government officials to discuss:
- Human rights violations due to changing climate;
- State responsibility and the notion of ‘welfare sate’ in a climate constrained world;
- Constraints to meet the MDGs and minimum policy mandates under Chapter IV of the   Constitution of India;
- Fundamental rights violations due to climate change;
- The role of of the judiciary and legal fraternities in ensuring protection of societies from adverse effect of climate change; and
- Climate related movement and security challenges.