Reaffirm the human right to live on a healthy planet at the UN General Assembly

Over a million species are at risk of extinction. The climate is heating like never before. And we’re in the midst of a deadly pandemic. All a function of our destruction of nature.

Our planet is fighting for its life.

The science is clear: the reckless exploitation of nature is at the root of these planetary crises, threatening our very survival and that of many other species.

That’s why we’re calling on the United Nations to recognise the human right to a healthy environment at the highest level – its General Assembly. It’s an emergency. And we need you to sign and share this petition to help make it a reality.

The right to a healthy environment already has constitutional or legal recognition and protection in more than 150 States. But this is not enough: as we all share one planet, one natural world, we need one global right, and universal rights strengthen local action and enforcement.

Listening to calls from governments, business and civil society, including a joint letter from over 1350 environment, development, humanitarian, faith-based, youth, social justice, human rights and Indigenous Peoples groups, in October 2021 the UN Human Rights Council voted resoundingly to recognise the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment – a huge victory.

We’re now urgently calling for one key further step to ensure this right is reaffirmed at the highest level: a similar resolution at the UN General Assembly, voted on by all Member States to the UN.

From the air we breathe, to the water we drink, to the earth in which we grow our food; our environment impacts our health in many ways. It is time to recognise that the right to a healthy natural environment is essential for our survival.

This right is a fundamental step to transform our society’s relationship with nature. Only on a planet where nature and people live in harmony can we help prevent future pandemics, and successfully address the climate and biodiversity crises.

With business as usual, we are doomed to sink further towards destruction. We need to reinforce the human right to a #HealthyEnvironmentForAll! #1Planet1Right

Join us in calling on the UN and its Member States to:

1. Pass a resolution to reaffirm the recognition of the right to a healthy environment at the UN General Assembly;
2. Incorporate the right in the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework;
3. Recognise the right in national constitutions, in legislation and/or through ratification of relevant treaties, and ensure its implementation at national level.