Do you have a human right to a healthy environment?

What does it mean to enjoy a healthy environment? In many countries across the world citizens enjoy the right to a healthy environment in different forms.

Until recently, such a right did not exist in international law. However, in 2022 the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution recognising the right to a healthy environment, with 161 countries (including Denmark) voting in favour of the resolution. Although this resolution is not strictly legally binding in international law, many argue that this right is now part of customary international law.

This talk will explore what this right means and explain its various elements, including the rights to clean air, a safe climate, safe and sufficient water, healthy and sustainably produced food, non-toxic environments, and rights to environmental information, participation in decision-making, and access to justice.

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