Landmark Recognition: UN Envoys Honored for Championing Right to Healthy Environment
new york City – in a meaningful moment for international environmental law, Professor John H. Knox and Dr. David R. Boyd were presented with the 2025 Elisabeth Haub Award for Environmental Law and Diplomacy on October 23, 2025. The award, conferred by the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, recognizes their groundbreaking leadership as United Nations Special Rapporteurs on the human right to a healthy environment.
A Legacy of Advocacy and Diplomacy
Dean Horace E.Anderson, Jr., of pace University’s law school, emphasized that the honorees were “visionary leaders” whose sustained efforts laid the foundation for global acknowledgment of this essential human right. Their collaborative work embodies the power of advocacy, diplomacy, and international cooperation, he added.
pace University President Marvin Krislov also praised Knox and Boyd, stating their contributions clarified and strengthened the right to a healthy environment, making it increasingly difficult to disregard on the world stage.
The Evolution of a Global Right
John H. Knox, currently a professor at Wake Forest University, served as the UN’s first Autonomous Expert and Special rapporteur on the human right to a healthy environment from 2012 to 2018.His work culminated in the Framework Principles on Human Rights and the Environment, a set of guidelines that define states’ responsibilities under existing human rights law, specifically emphasizing non-discrimination and protection for environmental defenders.
dr. David R. Boyd, a professor at the University of British Columbia, succeeded Knox as Special rapporteur, serving from 2018 to 2024. Boyd forged a widespread coalition involving nations, UN organizations, and over 1,300 civil society groups, contributing to significant legal cases and authoring more than 30 UN reports documenting progress linked to acknowledging the right to a healthy environment.
Their combined efforts ultimately powered resolutions by both the UN Human Rights Council (2021) and the UN General Assembly (2022) formally recognizing the human right to a clean, enduring, and healthy environment. This momentum was further bolstered by the International Court of Justice’s recent advisory opinion reinforcing the right’s standing in international law.
Panel Discussion Highlights Key Issues
The award ceremony included a panel discussion titled “Advancing the Right to a Healthy Environment”,moderated by Professor Smita narula of Pace University. The discussion featured the Laureates alongside Ambassador Maritza Chan Valverde, Costa Rica’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
Panelists traced the journey of the right to a healthy environment, noting its conversion from a debated concept to a universally recognized norm. They discussed translating legal recognition into concrete action, notably for vulnerable populations, and improvements in environmental quality.
Dr. Boyd explained that recognizing this right shifts environmental protection from a discretionary element of governance to a binding obligation. Ambassador Chan Valverde underscored the importance of collaboration in strengthening international law and upholding shared human values.
Pictured: Award recipients and attendees at the 2025 Elisabeth Haub Award for Environmental Law and Diplomacy.
Key milestones in the Recognition of the Right
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2012-2018 | John H. Knox serves as UN Special Rapporteur. |
| 2018-2024 | David R. Boyd serves as UN Special Rapporteur. |
| 2021 | UN Human Rights Council recognizes the right. |
| 2022 | UN General Assembly recognizes the right. |
| 2025 | International Court of Justice affirms the right. |
The Growing Momentum for Environmental Rights
The recognition of the human right to a healthy environment isn’t merely a legal advancement; it’s a reflection of growing global concern over climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) reports that environmental threats contribute to millions of deaths each year, disproportionately impacting vulnerable communities. This escalating crisis further emphasizes the pressing need for legally enshrined environmental rights.
frequently Asked Questions
- What is the human right to a healthy environment? It is the right of all people to live in an environment that allows them to enjoy a life of dignity and well-being, free from pollution and other environmental harm.
- Why is this right important? It acknowledges the fundamental link between environmental health and human well-being, and creates legal avenues for accountability.
- How does this right impact national laws? it encourages nations to integrate environmental considerations into all aspects of policymaking, strengthening environmental regulation.
- What role do UN Special Rapporteurs play? They investigate and report on environmental issues, raise awareness, and provide recommendations to governments.
- What are the next steps in solidifying this right globally? Continued advocacy, legislative action by nations, and judicial rulings are crucial for full implementation.
What impact do you believe this increased recognition of environmental rights will have on global policy? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Do you think the right to a healthy environment should be included in national constitutions? Let us know what you think!
