In the 10 years since the Charter of Fundamental Rights enshrined environmental protection into EU law, we have seen a global awakening to the need for new green policies and initiatives.
Climate change and pollution affect our human rights. The connection and legal protection is clear in Article 37 of the Charter.
It states: “A high level of environmental protection and the improvement of the quality of the environment must be integrated into the policies of the Union and ensured in accordance with the principle of sustainable development.”
The Fundamental Rights Forum is your opportunity to explore new ways in which human rights protections can help deal with the environment crisis.
There has never been a better time for this debate.
The EU's plan to rebuild a greener economy in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic is the perfect opportunity for positive change.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “We want to build a Green Europe, which protects our climate and our environment and which creates sustainable jobs.
"We have 750 billion Euros to build our future Union. This is the opportunity of the century for Europe. A truly historic moment.”
The EU scheme requires governments to spend more than one-third of this money on reducing CO2 emissions.
This support is essential for the wealth-creating businesses who will be at the cutting edge of delivering lower carbon emissions.
The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights’ recent report Business and Human Rights - Access To Remedies explains this need in detail.
Director Michael O’Flaherty said: “The diverse activities of businesses affect not just their customers, employees, and contractors along their supply chains, but often entire communities and the environment.”
If you have a great idea on how to address the environmental challenge from a human rights perspective, we want to hear from you.
The Fundamental Rights Forum is the platform to debate the most pressing issues of the day—and inspire real policy change.
Submit your idea hosting a session at #RightsForum21 today and make a difference.