BAMRO

The Right to a Healthy Environment: A Fundamental Human Right in the Face of Climate Challenges

Issued by the Belgian Association for Human Rights and Development (BAMRO)

Introduction

On the occasion of World Environment Day, observed annually on 5 June, it is important to reaffirm that the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment is an essential human right. Environmental degradation, climate change, pollution, and the loss of biodiversity increasingly threaten the enjoyment of fundamental human rights worldwide.

Human Rights Dimension

The right to a healthy environment is closely linked to several fundamental rights, including the right to life, health, water, food, housing, and sustainable development. In 2022, the United Nations officially recognized the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment as a universal human right.

Current Challenges

Today, the world faces serious environmental challenges, including:

• Climate change and rising global temperatures.
• Increasing droughts, floods, and extreme weather events.
• Air, water, and soil pollution.
• Threats to food security.
• Disproportionate impacts on vulnerable groups, particularly children, women, and displaced populations.

International Responsibility

States bear the primary responsibility for protecting the environment and ensuring that environmental policies respect, protect, and fulfill human rights. International cooperation remains essential to address global environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development goals.

BAMRO Recommendations

1. Strengthen legal recognition of the right to a healthy environment.
2. Support effective climate action policies.
3. Protect vulnerable communities from environmental harm.
4. Promote public participation in environmental decision-making.
5. Enhance international cooperation for environmental justice and sustainable development.

Conclusion

On World Environment Day 2026, BAMRO reaffirms that environmental protection is not only an ecological necessity but also a human rights obligation. Ensuring a healthy environment is essential for safeguarding human dignity and securing the rights of present and future generations.