Advancing environmental rights in Southeast Asia

Member States in Southeast Asia are developing the region’s first-ever environmental rights framework, which experts say will provide myriad social, economic and health benefits amid the rising threat of the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is providing the Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with technical assistance to support this effort, which follows the historic 2022 UN General Assembly resolution recognizing the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.   

The Working Group on Environmental Rights, operating under the leadership of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights, is preparing the text of a declaration to enshrine these rights. In addition to UNEP and the UN Human Rights Office, the working group is comprised of representatives from ASEAN bodies dedicated to youth, biodiversity, inclusion of persons with disabilities and rights of women and children, as well as experts in human rights and environmental law. This multi-stakeholder approach can enable novel and innovative solutions within ASEAN, experts say.  

“UNEP is pleased to provide technical support to the ASEAN Working Group on Environmental Rights,” said Georgina Lloyd, UNEP Coordinator for Environmental Governance in Asia and the Pacific. “As with any international instrument on environmental rights, UNEP encourages ASEAN to recognize the important role of environmental human rights defenders, including Indigenous Peoples, youth, and women, in upholding the right to a healthy environment.” 

Strengthening environmental rule of law 

UNEP’s contribution to the working group continues its longstanding commitment to bolstering the environmental rule of law. At the 1992 Earth Summit, UNEP supported Member States in the issuance of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development. Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration sets out three procedural rights—access to information, public participation and access to justice—as pillars of sound environmental governance. In 2010, governments adopted the Bali Guidelines to catalyse and accelerate action at the national level on Principle 10, with UNEP publishing an implementation guide for countries.