Right to Clean Environment- The Various Issues and Challenges

Abstract

Faced with the results of polluting and destructive actions, many international treaties and local laws and regulations on environmental protection have been introduced in the second half of the 20th century. These at first did not mention human rights in relation to environmental protection. The United Nations Charter of 1945 marked the beginning of modern international human rights law, whereas the Stockholm Declaration of 1972 is generally seen as the starting point of a rights based approach to environmental protection. This declaration formulated several principles, including that 'Man have the fundamental right to freedom, equality and adequate conditions of life, in an environment of a quality that permits a life of dignity and well-being, and he bears a solemn responsibility to protect and improve the environment for present and future generations.'