The UN Human Rights Council has recognized access to a clean and healthy environment as a fundamental right, formally adding its weight to the global fight against climate hardship and climate change.
GENEVA -- The UN Human Rights Council on Friday recognized access to a clean and healthy environment as a fundamental right, formally adding its weight to the global fight against climate change and its devastating consequences.
"This has life-changing potential in a world where the global environmental crisis causes more than nine million premature deaths every year," said David Boyd, U.N. special rapporteur on human rights and the environment, who called the decision a "historic breakthrough." Britain, which was among the critics of the proposal in recent intense negotiations, voted in favor in a surprise, last-minute move. Its ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Rita French, said the U.K. was voting 'yes' because it shared supporters' ambition to tackle climate change but added that states would not be bound to the resolution's terms.
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