CIEL and Earthjustice, working closely with Maldives, Costa Rica and Switzerland, obtained from the UN Human Rights Council a resolution on Human Rights & Environment that establishes an Independent Expert on Human Rights and the Environment. This Council resolution was adopted by consensus in its recently concluded 19th Session, with more than 80 States co-sponsoring, and it crystallizes efforts over many years from many quarters. CIEL also had the opportunity to address the plenary of the Council in support of this resolution. The Council’s resolution establishes an institutional vehicle to advance the linkages between Human Rights and the Environment. It is expected that this new Special Procedure will lay the basis for the Council’s recognition of a universal right to a healthy environment. In addition the new Independent Expert is tasked with identifying and promoting best practices relating to the use of human rights obligations to strengthen environmental protection.
See http://intlenvlaw.wordpress.com/2012/03/23/un-human-rights-council-establishes-an-independent-expert-on-human-rights-and-the-environment-4/