Book contents
- Fifty Years of International Environmental Law
- Fifty Years of International Environmental Law
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Contributors
- Preface
- Abbreviations
- Introduction: Fifty Years of Shaping International Environmental Law
- Part I Concepts, Structures, and Institutions
- Part II Human Rights, Participatory Rights, and the Rule of Law
- 4 Litigating Human Rights and the Environment in International Tribunals 1972–2022: How Far Have We Progressed?
- 5 Environmental Rule of Law: From Stockholm 1972 to 2022 and Beyond
- 6 The Development of Environmental Access Rights and Protection of Environmental Defenders
- Part III Consumption, Production, Chemicals, and Waste
- Part IV The Atmosphere
- Part V Waters
- Part VI Nature and Biodiversity
- Annex A Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment
- Annex B Stockholm+50: A Healthy Planet for the Prosperity of All – Our Responsibility, Our Opportunity, Summary Points of Leadership Dialogues and Outcome
- Index
6 - The Development of Environmental Access Rights and Protection of Environmental Defenders
from Part II - Human Rights, Participatory Rights, and the Rule of Law
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 29 May 2026
Book contents
- Fifty Years of International Environmental Law
- Fifty Years of International Environmental Law
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Contributors
- Preface
- Abbreviations
- Introduction: Fifty Years of Shaping International Environmental Law
- Part I Concepts, Structures, and Institutions
- Part II Human Rights, Participatory Rights, and the Rule of Law
- 4 Litigating Human Rights and the Environment in International Tribunals 1972–2022: How Far Have We Progressed?
- 5 Environmental Rule of Law: From Stockholm 1972 to 2022 and Beyond
- 6 The Development of Environmental Access Rights and Protection of Environmental Defenders
- Part III Consumption, Production, Chemicals, and Waste
- Part IV The Atmosphere
- Part V Waters
- Part VI Nature and Biodiversity
- Annex A Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment
- Annex B Stockholm+50: A Healthy Planet for the Prosperity of All – Our Responsibility, Our Opportunity, Summary Points of Leadership Dialogues and Outcome
- Index
Summary
This chapter explores the progressive integration of environmental law and human rights considerations in international law, with a specific focus on the development of environmental access rights and the acceptance of the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment from the early1970s to the 2020s. Concepts such as sustainable development and environmental rule of law, are an essential part of this evolutionary journey. A specific example of the integration of these concepts is the increasing recognition of environmental human rights defenders (EHRDs). It is argued that EHRDs play an essential role in enabling states’ realisation of environmental rule of law, the achievement of sustainable development, and the promotion of a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. The chapter notes that EHRDs face escalating physical threats and legal risks by both government and private sector interests in many regions of the world, often entailing violations of environmental access rights. Such risks detract from the otherwise significant progress that has been made. The chapter concludes that there is an urgent need for greater recognition and protection of EHRDs through stronger legal and policy mechanisms as part of enhancing environmental access rights globally.
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- Fifty Years of International Environmental LawDevelopments since the 1972 Stockholm Conference, pp. 179 - 202Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2026
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