28 March 2014: The UN Human Rights Council (HRC) adopted a resolution on ‘Human Rights and the Environment’ at its 25th regular session in Geneva, Switzerland, reaffirming the importance of non-discrimination in applying environmental laws, and the role of human rights defenders in sustainable development.

The resolution (A/HRC/25/L.31) expresses the Council’s intention to contribute to follow-up processes to the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20), including the identification and realization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The resolution calls for paying due attention to members of groups particularly vulnerable to environmental harm. It recognizes the role of human rights defenders working on environmental issues in trying to promote sustainable development, and the importance of human rights obligations in relation to the post-2015 development agenda, in particular the work of defining concrete goals, targets and indicators.

Costa Rica introduced the resolution, saying it draws attention to the links between protection of the environment and the enjoyment of human rights. The US supported the resolution but expressed concern regarding the general approach of placing environmental concerns in a human rights context, and about the mention of “sustainable development” in the text, saying that the “right to development” does not have an agreed international meaning.

The HRC recognized the work of the Independent Expert on human rights and the environment, referencing his reports in the resolution.

The HRC adopted 42 texts on a wide range of issues during its 25th session. It also adopted the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review of 15 countries. [Resolution on Human Rights and the Environment] [OHCHR Press Release] [Webpage of 25th HRC Regular Session] [OHCHR Press Release on Decisions from HRC 25th Session]