Europe’s human rights system is not only about protecting people – it is also helping to protect the environment. Across the continent, individuals and organisations have used the European Convention on Human Rights, the European Social Charter, and the Bern Convention to push for action on climate change, pollution, and nature conservation.

The European Court of Human Rights has already ruled on nearly 300 cases linked to the environment. By applying rights such as the right to life, freedom of expression, and respect for family life, the Court has tackled issues including air pollution, natural disasters, and public access to environmental information. Visit the ECHR Knowledge- Sharing platform to find out more!

Campaigners are also using human rights law at the national level to hold governments accountable for protecting the environment and addressing climate change.

To strengthen its work, the Council of Europe has launched major new initiatives:

Prosecutors and law enforcement play a vital role in this fight. Guidelines published by the Consultative Council of European Prosecutors explain how prosecutors can take action in criminal, civil, and administrative cases.

Environmental challenges also affect vulnerable groups. In 2025, the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities published a factsheet highlighting the specific challenges faced by minority and indigenous communities, including the Sami people, and setting out steps to address them.

Why it matters

Environmental harm is also a human rights issue. Pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss threaten people’s health, homes and futures. By linking environmental protection with human rights, the Council of Europe gives individuals and communities powerful tools to demand change – and helps governments across Europe take stronger, fairer action to safeguard our planet.

Back New factsheet on the execution of ECHR judgments concerning environment

New factsheet on the execution of ECHR judgments concerning environment

Although the European Convention on Human Rights does not contain an explicit right to a clean and quiet environment, the Court has developed its case-law and established that where an individual is directly and seriously affected by noise or other pollution, an issue may arise under the Convention. The Court has underlined that serious damage to the environment can affect the well-being of individuals. Also, States are not only obliged to refrain from arbitrary interference but also have the positive obligation to adopt reasonable and adequate measures to protect the rights of the individual.

Environmental issues have been examined by the Court in a large number of cases concerning various human rights. The factsheet focuses on the following major issues: ending and preventing environmental pollution and disasters; environmental risks, access to information and compensation; protection from noise and air pollution; access to courts; freedom of expression and property rights. It sets out several examples of measures adopted and reported by States, in the context of the execution of the European Court's judgments, in order to safeguard and protect one’s living environment.
New factsheet on environment
Thematic factsheets
ECtHR conference “Human Rights for the Planet”

Strasbourg 20 OCTOBER 2020
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Using human rights to address environmental issues

 

“Climate litigation – what you need to know”

What is the relationship between the environment and the protection of human rights under the European Convention on Human Rights? How can human rights law contribute to strengthening environmental protection at national level? What is the relevant case-law of the European Court of Human Rights?
Find out more about the dynamics of environmental litigation in Europe