News

Desiree Abrahams, Senior Programme Manager, Clean Air

To celebrate the UN’s International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, we share what you need to know about the adoption of Resolution A/76/300.

History was made on 28 July 2022 at the UN General Assembly in New York. 161 governments agreed that we the people have a right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

Whilst this is a huge triumph, understanding what this means is no easy feat. We outline our key takeaways from Resolution A/76/300 below.

1. Universal acceptance

A united front from governments across the world is critical for encouraging action, as well as ensuring that any environmental actions taken do not lead to inadvertent negative human rights consequences, and vice versa.

In other words, the Resolution acts as universal acceptance of a rights-based approach that places the protection of people at the centre of international environmental governance.

The right enshrines key essentials for life – such as clean air, water, land, biodiversity, natural resources and ecosystems.

2. Rocket fuel for further change

With this new right, citizens around the world can feel confident to demand legislation, policy interventions, and governing practices that ensure any impacts on people from environmental damage are considered, mitigated and resolved.

In some countries, a rights-based approach to environmental governance has already started and is gathering pace. Examples include Thailand with the Clean Air Bill and the UK with the Clean Air (Human Rights) Bill.

The right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment will only serve to galvanise force for such existing efforts and, where not already in place, catalyse action for a rights-based approach.

3. Strengthening of other rights

Resolution A/76/300 is not the only right which aims to tackle environmental degradation.

Through ushering in the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, the resolution works in tandem with the Sustainable Development Goals and other existing environmental and human rights resolutions, as guiding principles for action.

The Resolution also reaffirms the Framework Principles on Human Rights and the Environment, a comprehensive set of 16 principles directed at governments, outlining the various steps they can take to ensure they fulfil their governing duty to their citizens.

It further makes explicit reference to the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the international normative standard which anchors the corporate responsibility to environmental degradation.

By recognising these important and relevant framework principles within the new right, clear expectations are placed upon both actors – governments and businesses.

4. The importance of gender equality

Within the resolution, there is an explicit acknowledgement of the important role that women play as environmental defenders and safeguarding agents.

“The empowerment, leadership, decision-making and full, equal and meaningful participation of women and girls, and the role that women play as managers, leaders and defenders of natural resources and agents of change in safeguarding the environment.”

This recognises the importance of gender equality, and gender-responsive action to address climate change and environmental degradation.

5. Transparency is a requirement 

Information sharing and exchange between government and public affairs, stated as “rights to seek, receive and impart information” are embedded into the Resolution. Such transparency and mutual respect between governments and individuals are essential ingredients if an effective rights-based approach to environmental stewardship is to be successful. 

In summary, our new right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment should make it easier for individuals and organisations to call for change, and more difficult for governments and businesses to get away with creating the levels of pollution that are currently allowed, paving the way for a cleaner air future for all.