Environmental Human Rights: An Innovative Approach to Achieving Sustainable Development

Abstract

Human rights are necessary for the prosperity of every individual, irrespective of their country or any other status. There are several agreements to safeguard human rights on a global scale; however, complete protection is still missing. Modern environmental ethicists believe that assigning human traits to the environment, which sustains our existence, is vital for sustainable development. The notion of sustainability pertains to the current economic development and its implications for future generations. The principles of international cooperation are based on three global values: peace, a healthy environment, and sustainable development. The realization of these values' correlations with humans leads to the quest for legal methods to defend humanity's existence and rights. This chapter examines the inclusion of the right to sustainable development within the framework of environmental human rights. Furthermore, it discusses the failure of certain Rio efforts and highlights the need to explore ways to acknowledge the right to a safe and sustainable environment.