Kenya on Thursday voted in favour of a UN General Assembly resolution that recognises the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a human right.
The resolution recognises the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a human right and “affirms that the promotion of the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment requires the full implementation of the multilateral environmental agreements under the principles of international environmental law.
The 193-member General Assembly adopted the resolution with 161 votes in favour and abstentions by Belarus, Cambodia, China, Ethiopia, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Syria.
BREAKING
The UN General Assembly adopts a resolution that declares access to a clean and healthy environment a universal #HumanRight
In favour: 161
Abstentions: 8
Against: 0
The decision is expected to be a catalyst for #ClimateAction pic.twitter.com/r7xva47g6m
— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) July 28, 2022
The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, welcomed the “historic” decision and said the landmark development demonstrates that the Member States can unite in the collective fight against the triple planetary climate change crisis, biodiversity loss and pollution.
“The resolution will help reduce environmental injustices, close protection gaps and empower people, especially those that are in vulnerable situations, including environmental human rights defenders, children, youth, women and indigenous peoples… The international community has given universal recognition to this right and brought us closer to making it a reality for all,” he said in a statement,” he said in a statement released by his Spokesperson’s Office.
I welcome the adoption of the #UNGA resolution recognising the human right to a healthy environment – an important tool for accountability and climate justice.
The well-being of people around the world and the survival of future generations depends on the health of our planet.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) July 28, 2022
He added that the decision will also help States accelerate the implementation of their environmental and human rights obligations and commitments.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said the resolution can only accomplish so much, and that action is needed.
“Today is a historic moment, but simply affirming our right to a healthy environment is not enough. The General Assembly resolution is clear: States must implement their international commitments and scale their efforts to realize it. We will all suffer much worse effects from environmental crises if we do not collectively work together to avert them,” she said, as quoted in UN public relations materials.
Today is a historic moment, but simply affirming our right to a #HealthyEnvironmentForAll is not enough. The #UNGA resolution is very clear: States must implement their commitments and scale up their efforts #ForNature 🌏
— Michelle Bachelet (@mbachelet) July 28, 2022
