UN Environment Rights Bolster Case for Global Climate Litigation

A United Nations panel’s recognition of a stable environment as a human right will galvanize advocates to drive global climate litigation and pressure lawmakers to lower emissions and protect natural resources, international climate law observers say.

Forty-three nations voted to pass the resolution on Oct. 8 during the Human Rights Council’s 48th session, affirming the human right to a clean, stable, and healthy environment. The provision eventually will go to the General Assembly, where all 193 member countries will weigh in.

“This recognition becomes one more tool in the toolbox that litigators have at hand to hold governments and corporations ...