Environment and Human Rights (CDDH-ENV)
The interconnection between the protection of human rights and environment is fostered through the obligations of the member States under the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Social Charter, the steady development of the case-law by the European Court of Human Rights and of the conclusions and decisions of the European Committee of Social Rights as well as the increasing number of cases before national courts. Bearing this in mind, the Steering Committee for Human Rights (CDDH) has published an updated version of its Manual on Human Rights and the Environment as a 3rd edition and is currently preparing a draft non-binding instrument in this field, to be transmitted to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe by the end of 2022. This work is entrusted with the CDDH Drafting Group on Human Rights and Environment (CDDH-ENV).
Meetings and Events
1st meeting, 28-30 April 2021
Meeting report
Addendum to the Meeting report - Draft Manual on Human Rights and the Environment 3rd edition "Principles emerging from the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights and from the conclusions and decisions of the European Committee on Social Rights"
Draft agenda
Workshop on Environment, Human Rights and Business, 27 April 2021
Programme 
Video
2nd meeting, 3-5 November 2021
Addendum to the meeting report: Preliminary draft recommendation on human rights and the protection of the environment
3rd meeting, 26-28 January 2022
4th meeting, 6-8 April 2022
- Meeting report
- Addendum to the meeting report : Draft recommendation on human rights and the protection of the environment
- Draft agenda
5th meeting, 13-15 September 2022
- Draft agenda
- Programme of the exchange of views with independent experts and representatives from the Parliamentary Assembly and the European Committee of Social Rights on the need and feasibility of a further instrument or instruments in the field of human rights and the environment.
Chairperson
Ms Kristine Licis (Latvia)
Publications
MANUAL ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT (3rd edition)
This updated manual seeks to contribute to a better understanding of the relationship existing between human rights and the environment, as expressed through the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Social Charter by examining how these instruments contribute to the strengthening of environmental protection at national level.
Proceedings of the High-level Conference "Environmental Protection and Human Rights" on 27 February 2020 with the Manual on Human Rights and the Environment (2nd edition/2012)
Council of Europe webpage "Protecting the environment using human rights law"
