Firm news | March 10, 2020

Proud contributors to a United Nations project about the right to a healthy environment

Roschier has contributed to a major pro bono project conducted on behalf of Dr. David Boyd, the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights and the Environment. The project involved a global mapping survey to determine which jurisdictions around the world recognize a human right to a healthy environment in their domestic law.

Our experts have conducted research on the existence of a right to a healthy environment under Finnish law. This global survey, coordinated by international law firm Clifford Chance, was conducted to determine which UN Member States recognize a right to a healthy environment. The research findings have enabled the Special Rapporteur to create a worldwide map identifying jurisdictions in which the right exists.  Where it exists, this right may be created through a national constitution, primary legislation or key cases.

The UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights and the Environment presented the findings in his report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva in early March 2020.

A copy of the report and supporting annexes can be found here.