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Environmental human rights defenders: new developments and their implications for the European Union and the European Parliament

Ituarte-Lima, Claudia LU ; Nardi, Maria Andrea LU orcid and Sjöstedt, Britta LU (2025)
Abstract
This paper provides an overview of both long-standing and new legal and policy developments concerning Environmental Human Rights Defenders (EHRDs). The focus is on four major components: i) observing different approaches and understandings about EHRDs; ii) analysing the content of international obligations concerning EHRDs and mechanisms for reviewing implementation and accountability; iii) discussing the opportunities and challenges of using European Union (EU) instruments to advance the realisation of EHRDs’ rights; and iv) exploring EU collaboration with other regions on environmental democracy and EHRDs’ rights. The paper reports on recent vital breakthroughs, driven partly by EHRDs, including recognition of the right to a healthy... (More)
This paper provides an overview of both long-standing and new legal and policy developments concerning Environmental Human Rights Defenders (EHRDs). The focus is on four major components: i) observing different approaches and understandings about EHRDs; ii) analysing the content of international obligations concerning EHRDs and mechanisms for reviewing implementation and accountability; iii) discussing the opportunities and challenges of using European Union (EU) instruments to advance the realisation of EHRDs’ rights; and iv) exploring EU collaboration with other regions on environmental democracy and EHRDs’ rights. The paper reports on recent vital breakthroughs, driven partly by EHRDs, including recognition of the right to a healthy environment by the United Nations, as well as progress from voluntary guidelines to binding provisions on human rights and sustainability due diligence. Yet, contrary to the principles of non-regression and progression, the paper also shows that key legal and institutional advances are at risk of being weakened or even reversed. Recommendations are provided for the EU to strengthen the realisation of EHRDs’ rights and their role as custodians of the right to a healthy environment, not only for themselves but also for others who cannot raise their voices, namely future generations and other living beings. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Book/Report
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Environmental defenders, Climate activists, Human rights, Environmental democracy, European Parliament, European Union, EU law, Mänskliga rättigheter, EU-rätt, Miljörätt
pages
71 pages
publisher
European Parliament DG External Policies Policy dept.
ISBN
978-92-848-2946-0
978-92-848-2947-7
project
Environmental Human Rights Defenders – Change Agents at the Crossroads of Climate change, Biodiversity and Cultural Conservation
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
82a49a40-ced0-48a2-aef2-9a0aa3fa8709
alternative location
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2025/754480/EXPO_STU(2025)754480_EN.pdf
date added to LUP
2025-08-31 00:23:35
date last changed
2025-09-03 09:30:49
@techreport{82a49a40-ced0-48a2-aef2-9a0aa3fa8709,
  abstract     = {{This paper provides an overview of both long-standing and new legal and policy developments concerning Environmental Human Rights Defenders (EHRDs). The focus is on four major components: i) observing different approaches and understandings about EHRDs; ii) analysing the content of international obligations concerning EHRDs and mechanisms for reviewing implementation and accountability; iii) discussing the opportunities and challenges of using European Union (EU) instruments to advance the realisation of EHRDs’ rights; and iv) exploring EU collaboration with other regions on environmental democracy and EHRDs’ rights. The paper reports on recent vital breakthroughs, driven partly by EHRDs, including recognition of the right to a healthy environment by the United Nations, as well as progress from voluntary guidelines to binding provisions on human rights and sustainability due diligence. Yet, contrary to the principles of non-regression and progression, the paper also shows that key legal and institutional advances are at risk of being weakened or even reversed. Recommendations are provided for the EU to strengthen the realisation of EHRDs’ rights and their role as custodians of the right to a healthy environment, not only for themselves but also for others who cannot raise their voices, namely future generations and other living beings.}},
  author       = {{Ituarte-Lima, Claudia and Nardi, Maria Andrea and Sjöstedt, Britta}},
  institution  = {{European Parliament DG External Policies Policy dept.}},
  isbn         = {{978-92-848-2946-0}},
  keywords     = {{Environmental defenders; Climate activists; Human rights; Environmental democracy; European Parliament; European Union; EU law; Mänskliga rättigheter; EU-rätt; Miljörätt}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  title        = {{Environmental human rights defenders: new developments and their implications for the European Union and the European Parliament}},
  url          = {{https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2025/754480/EXPO_STU(2025)754480_EN.pdf}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}