Some 75 years after the General Assembly’s adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the principles it enshrines remain vital. If we do not respect human rights, we do not respect ourselves. No one person, community or nation should put themselves above another. Humanity’s future depends on pulling together, not apart, to overcome the triple planetary crisis: the crisis of climate change, the crisis of nature and biodiversity loss and the crisis of pollution and waste. So, we at UNEP are recommitting to placing human rights at the heart of our work.
UNEP pledges to advance the world’s newest right: the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. Because the environment makes our lives and wellbeing possible. Underpins sustainable development. And enables the fulfilment of many other rights.
UNEP pledges to support environmental human rights defenders. These brave individuals and communities face intimidation, criminalization and death when they stand up to those who would devastate nature for profit. We stand with them.
UNEP pledges to support Member States to uphold the rights of Indigenous Peoples – the best stewards of biodiversity and nature. We will work to incorporate their knowledge, innovations and practices into conservation and restoration strategies – including through the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
UNEP pledges commitment to the principles of equity, non-discrimination, equal participation, accountability and access to justice. Because there can be no better future – for nature, the climate or people – without justice, equity and true inclusion.
And we at UNEP will work with our partners, including the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the United Nations Development Programme. Together, we can bolster human rights and undo human wrongs to the environment, for the benefit of all.
