Human rights and Environmental Protection

The adoption of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represents an unprecedented moment in human history for global governance and the protection of human rights (individuals) and our planet (the environment). Both humans and the environment are the center of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

It is important, therefore, to develop training initiatives to raise awareness and build capacities concerning public policies and the link between human rights, the environment and sustainable development, especially amongst governments, civil society and the private sector.

UNITAR, UNDP, UNEP and the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment, John Knox, are collaborating to implement an online course on Human Rights and the Environment for Sustainable Development. The course aims to empower policy makers, experts and advocates with the tools needed to develop and implement innovative public policies and laws for the protection of the environment and human rights, specifically targeting the relevant SDGs, thus contributing to their achievement. The partners expect to launch the pilot session of the course in May 2016.