Access to a healthy environment, declared a human right by UN rights council

In resolution 48/13, the Council called on States around the world to work together, and with other partners, to implement this newly recognised right. The text, proposed by Costa Rica, the Maldives, Morocco, Slovenia and Switzerland, was passed with 43 votes in favour and 4 abstentions - from Russia, India, China and Japan. At the same time, through a second resolution (48/14), the Council also increased its focus on the human rights impacts of climate change by establishing a Special Rapporteur dedicated specifically to that issue.

Human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said in a statement that "recognizing the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is about protecting people and planet -- the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat."

Bachelet added that she felt "gratified" by the way in which the decision "clearly recognizes environmental degradation and climate change as interconnected human rights crises."

She continued: "Bold action is now required to ensure this resolution on the right to a healthy environment serves as a springboard to push for transformative economic, social and environmental policies that will protect people and nature."

The vote "acknowledges the damage inflicted by climate change and environmental destruction on millions of people across the world," the press release added. "It also underlines that the most vulnerable segments of the population are more acutely impacted."