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Environmental

A collection of 1021 articles

UN Rights Body Should Create New Role on Human Rights and Climate Change

Yesterday more than 200 groups sent a letter to the United Nations Human Rights Council urging member states to establish a new mandate for a Special Rapporteur on human rights and climate change.

Bangladesh: Rohingya Refugees on Island Fear Monsoon

(New York) – The Bangladesh government has relocated nearly 20,000 Rohingya refugees to a remote island without adequate health care, livelihoods, or protection, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The United Nations and donor governments should urgently call for an independent assessment of the safety, disaster preparedness,

G7 Governments: End Fossil Fuel Subsidies

(London) – G7 member countries should take immediate and concrete action to end fossil fuel subsidies, Human Rights Watch said in a question-and-answer document released today.

Q&A on Fossil Fuel Subsidies

Government financial support for fossil fuels, including through subsidies, presents a key obstacle to achieving emissions reductions urgently needed to address the climate crisis.

On World Environment Day, Kabwe’s Children Still Await Clean-Up

This June 5 is World Environment Day, which kicks off the “United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration”.Ecosystem restoration is about preventing, halting and reversing environmental damage.

Climate Defenders Threatened, Struggle to Make Their Voices Heard

At this month’s virtual climate negotiations several United Nations officials and governments highlighted the importance of civil society participation in climate action.

Indonesia: Expanding Palm Oil Operations Bring Harm

(Jakarta) – The harm a palm oil plantation in western Kalimantan, Indonesia, is causing to the surrounding communities and the environment demonstrates the government’s failure to enforce its own policies and laws, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. There has been no improvement in government protection of

Submission on the Challenges and Threats Facing Climate Defenders

Human Rights Watch welcomes the opportunity to provide input on the challenges and risks facing climate defenders for the upcoming report by the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association. While recognizing that climate defenders face threats in countries all over the world, we

Canada Bans Use of Toxic Pesticide

Last week, the Canadian government quietly released a three-year plan to phase out use of the toxic pesticide chlorpyrifos.

South Africa’s 'Deadly Air' Case Highlights Health Risks from Coal

When you approach the town of Secunda in the coal-rich province of Mpumalanga in eastern South Africa, the toxic smell of air emanating from the cluster of coal-fired power stations hits you long-before before you see the town. I spent last week in Mpumalanga, hearing from residents about the burdens

Climate Crisis A Rising Threat to Maternal Health in the US

Mother’s Day in the United States is typically associated with spring, and new life.

Germany’s Top Court Finds Country’s Climate Law Violates Rights

In a landmark decision issued today, Germany’s top court found lawmakers have a human rights obligation to protect people from the effects of climate change.

Climate is the new Covid

Yesterday was Earth Day.

Canada’s New Climate Target Falls Short

At the US Climate Summit today, top ten greenhouse gas emitter Canada announced its long-awaited new emissions reduction target for 2030.

Bolsonaro’s Empty Promises to Protect the Amazon

Speaking at the Leaders Summit on Climate convened by the United States today, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro insisted he’s committed to protecting the Amazon and even pledged more resources for environmental law enforcement. But since taking office in 2019, his administration has done nothing but accelerate the destruction of