Thumbnail Image

Human rights and the environment

The interdependence of human rights and a healthy environment in the context of national legislation on natural resources

Year of publication 2022

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 68 p.

Author Knox, J. H., Morgera, E.

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Book (series)

ISBN 978-92-5-136097-2

Series title FAO Legal Papers

Series number No. 109

Synopsis (short abstract) This legal paper reflects on the evolution of international law on the interdependence of human rights and the environment. It illustrates their significance for the development and implementation of national laws on agricultural development and the management of renewable natural resources, ranging from land, water, fisheries, plants, and animals, to food, forestry, wildlife, biodiversity and trade laws. It is also relevant for national laws on climate change, gender equality, agribusiness operations, the right to food, the right to water and the prevention of potential conflicts arising from the competition for natural resources. The paper brings together lessons learned through the mandate of the former United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment, John H. Knox, and academic research on international biodiversity law and human rights, by Elisa Morgera. The Paper gives an overview of the increasing cross-fertilization between international environmental law and international human rights law. It looks specifically at nature conservation and the human rights of Indigenous Peoples. It also focuses on other areas of the nexus between human rights and biodiversity that are of particular relevance to national laws on natural resources.

Cite this content as:

Knox, J.H. and Morgera, E. 2022. Human rights and the environment – The interdependence of human rights and a healthy environment in the context of national legislation on natural resources. FAO Legal Paper No. 109. Rome, FAO.

https://doi.org/10.4060/cb9664en

Language English

Also available in:
No results found.

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

  • No Thumbnail Available
    Document
    Non-thematic issue 1999
    Also available in:
    This issue of Unasylva contains, as promised in the previous edition, additional articles on sustainable mountain development. These articles help to complete the focus on the topic and should also help to promote interest in the recently declared International Year of the Mountain (2000) for which FAO has been designated lead agency status within the United Nations system.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Book (stand-alone)
    Free Prior and Informed Consent: An indigenous peoples’ right and a good practice for local communities 2016
    Also available in:

    This Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) Manual is designed as a tool for project practitioners of a broad range of projects and programmes of any development organization, by providing information about the right to FPIC and how it can be implemented in six steps.

    In an FPIC process, the “how”, “when” and “with and by whom”, are as important as “what” is being proposed. For an FPIC process to be effective and result in consent or lack of it, the way in which the process is conducted is paramount. The time allocated for the discussions among the indigenous peoples, the cultural appropriateness of the way the information is conveyed, and the involvement of the whole community, including key groups like women, the elderly and the youth in the process, are all essential. A thorough and well carried FPIC process helps guarantee everyone’s right to self-determination, allowing them to participate in decisions that affect their lives.

    This FPIC Manual will ena ble field practitioners to incorporate FPIC into project and programmes’ design and implementation, ensuring that indigenous peoples’ rights are duly respected. FPIC can be considered the “gold standard” because it allows for the highest form of participation of local stakeholders in development projects.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Book (stand-alone)
    Framework for Environmental and Social Management 2022
    Also available in:
    The Framework for Environmental and Social Management (FESM) establishes environmental and social performance requirements for FAO programming. The FESM includes key elements of a human rights-based approach with the goal to ensure that people and the environment are protected from any potential adverse impacts of FAO programmes and projects. It is also intended to ensure that all stakeholders have ample opportunities to actively participate in the activities of programmes and projects, and have access to effective channels to voice their concerns about them. The FESM reflects the organization’s commitment to sustainability with a new set of guiding principles, two operational pillars and nine environmental and social standards. Together they delineate the mandatory requirements related to the identification, assessment and management of multiple environmental and social risks and impacts associated with programmes and projects supported and implemented by FAO. The FESM introduces an innovative process of climate change and disaster risk screening to identify potential risks, mitigation and resilience measures. It also includes new and updated requirements to conserve and restore renewable natural resources and biodiversity; protect animal welfare; foster resilient livelihoods; manage wastes and non-pesticide hazardous materials; promote resource efficiency; protect community health and promote decent jobs; strengthen requirements for dealing with gender-based violence including the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse; respect Indigenous Peoples living in voluntary isolation; and enhance accountability, conflict resolution and grievance mechanisms.
Show more

Users also downloaded

Showing related downloaded files

No results found.