As laid down in the UN General Assembly Resolution 2997 (XXVII) (1972) that aims to provide leadership and encourage partnerships in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and people to improve their quality of life, without compromising that of future generations; IHES work in the area of Human Rights and the Environment is further guided by international novel principles expounded in different international instruments. Some of these including among others:
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations that mandates the UN to promote and support a regulatory framework – relates to laws, policies and practices – that provide a conducive environment for public participation in the development process including decision making.
We therefore further consider the UN pillars of Peace, Security, Human rights and Development as being at the core of our work in order to impact and influence the development process at all levels of our engagement.
We take particular cognizance of the UN Environment Programme Governing Council Decision 27/9 on advancing justice, governance and law for environmental sustainability. In that respect we develop and work in partnership with national and international partners to do advocacy, capacity building as well as develop and disseminate tailor –made information to promote and entrench those core principles amongst the people of the world.
Our studies and tools are also deliberately done to augment and provide new knowledge, information and skills in line with the outcome of the meeting of senior government officials expert in environmental law on the midterm review of the fourth Programme for the Development and Periodic Review of Environmental Law (Montevideo Programme IV) which identified human rights and the environment as an emerging priority area.
We therefore work with national and international partners and stakeholders to ensure the best ways in which to articulate, promote, and ensure that nation states and peoples at all levels understand, observe and protect human rights and the environment – particulary:
· The right to a clean and safe environment
· The right to act to protect the environment
· The right to information and participation in decision making on matters related to the environment
· Supporting government institutions as well as civil society in ensuring the realization, promotion and protection of the above rights among others.