Notes with appreciation the reports of the Independent Expert on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment submitted to the Human Rights Council at its twenty-second2 and the twenty-fifth3 sessions;
Welcomes the work undertaken to date by the Independent Expert on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment;
3
Also welcomes the work of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the issue of human rights and the environment;
4
Recognizes that human rights law sets out certain obligations on States that are relevant to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment, and that the enjoyment of the corresponding human rights and fundamental freedoms can be facilitated by assessing environmental impact, making environmental information public and enabling effective participation in environmental decision-making processes, and that in that regard a good practice includes adopting, strengthening and implementing laws and other measures to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms in the context of environmental legislation and policies;
5
Reaffirms the duty of States to protect against human rights abuse within their territory and/or jurisdiction by third parties, including business enterprises, as provided for in the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights;
6
Also reaffirms the importance of non-discrimination in the application of environmental laws, but also of paying due attention to the members of groups particularly vulnerable to environmental harm, bearing in mind that environmental damage is felt most acutely by those segments of the population already in vulnerable situations;
7
Recognizes the role of human rights obligations and commitments in informing and strengthening international, regional and national policymaking in the area of sustainable development and environmental protection, and the importance of identifying best practices in that regard;
8
UrgesStates to comply with their human rights obligations when developing and implementing their environmental policies;
9
Recognizes the important role played by individuals, groups and organs of society, including human rights defenders, in the promotion and protection of human rights as they relate to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment;
10
Also recognizes the importance of giving due consideration to human rights obligations relevant to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment while shaping the post-2015 development agenda;
11
Stresses the particular relevance of international cooperation in addressing the impact on the enjoyment of human rights that may result from environmental harm;
12
Recognizes the need to clarify further the scope of human rights obligations of States as they relate to environmental harm;
13
Welcomes the cooperation extended to date to the Independent Expert by different actors, and calls upon all States to continue to cooperate with the Independent Expert in the discharge of his mandate and to respond favourably to requests for information and visits;
14
Requeststhe High Commissioner to continue to ensure that the Independent Expert receives the resources necessary to enable him to discharge his mandate fully;
15
Decides to continue its consideration of this matter under the same agenda item and in accordance with its programme of work.
