UN DECLARES CLEAN AND SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT A HUMAN RIGHT
In a landmark decision hailed as a major victory for environmental justice and human rights, the United Nations General Assembly has officially declared access to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment as a universal human right. The resolution, adopted with overwhelming support from member states, underscores the growing international consensus that environmental protection is essential to human dignity, health, and survival.
The non-binding resolution passed with 161 votes in favor, zero against, and only eight abstentions. While it does not create new legal obligations, the declaration is expected to strengthen environmental laws and standards globally and influence future policymaking at both national and international levels.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the decision, calling it “historic” and “a powerful tool for accountability and climate action.” He added, “This recognition will help empower people—especially the most vulnerable—to demand their right to a healthy environment. It will also push governments and businesses to step up their environmental responsibilities.”
The resolution builds on a similar declaration adopted by the UN Human Rights Council in 2021 and follows decades of advocacy by environmentalists, Indigenous communities, and civil society groups. Supporters say the move reflects growing urgency as the world faces intensifying climate change, biodiversity loss, air and water pollution, and resource depletion—all of which threaten human health, food security, and the livelihoods of billions.
David Boyd, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, said the vote sends a clear message that “environmental degradation is no longer just a scientific or economic issue—it’s a moral and human rights issue.” He called on governments to integrate this right into national constitutions, legal systems, and public policies.
The resolution identifies a clean and sustainable environment as a foundation for the enjoyment of many other human rights, including the right to life, health, water, food, and adequate housing. It urges states, international organizations, and business actors to scale up efforts to protect the environment and respect human rights in their operations.
Countries that abstained from the vote, including China and Russia, expressed concerns about the legal implications and potential constraints on national sovereignty. However, they did not oppose the resolution outright, signaling a cautious acknowledgment of its importance.
Environmental and human rights groups around the world celebrated the adoption as a long-overdue step. “This is a huge win for people and the planet,” said Amnesty International Secretary General Agnès Callamard. “It provides a legal and moral framework to hold polluters accountable and to challenge governments that fail to act on climate change.”
The resolution also has the potential to influence judicial decisions, including those in international courts and national supreme courts, by reinforcing arguments that environmental destruction violates basic human rights.
As the climate crisis deepens and environmental risks multiply, the UN’s declaration represents a turning point in global discourse—affirming that the right to live in a clean and sustainable environment is not a luxury, but a necessity for present and future generations.