UN expert attacks ‘exploitative’ world economy in fight to save planet
David Boyd -- who served as UN special rapporteur on human rights and the environment -- said:
"I started out six years ago talking about
️the right to a healthy environment
️having the capacity to bring about systemic and transformative changes.
But this powerful human right is up against an even more powerful force in the global economy
-- a system that is absolutely based on
the #exploitation of people and nature. 
And unless we change that fundamental system, then we’re just re-shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic.”
The #right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment was recognised as a fundamental human right by the United Nations only in 2021-22.
Some countries, notably the US, the world’s worst historic polluter,
-- argue that UN resolutions are legally influential -- but not binding.
The right to a healthy environment is also enshrined into law by 161 countries -- with the UK, US and Russia among notable exceptions.
Boyd, a Canadian environmental law professor, said:
“Human #rights come with
legally enforceable obligations
on the side of states, so I believe that this absolutely should be a game-changer
– and that’s why states have resisted it for so long.
“By bringing human rights into the equation, we now have institutions, processes and courts that can say to governments
this isn’t an #option
for you to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions and phase out fossil fuels.
These are #obligations
which include regulating businesses,
to make sure that businesses respect the climate,
the environment
and human rights.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/07/un-expert-human-rights-climate-crisis-economy?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other