The Steering Committee for Human rights (CDDH) has been entrusted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe with the task of conducting work on human rights and the environment. Following, in particular, texts adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights, the CDDH has elaborated a manual on human rights an the environment.

The Committee of Ministers approved its publication in 2006. This text has been updated un 2011, in light, notably, of relevant decisions of the European Committee of Social Rights. A revised manual has been republished in 2012.

Other Documents

Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

• Recommandation 1885 (2009) on “Drafting an additional protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights concerning the right to a healthy environment”
• Recommendation 1883 (2009) relating to the challenges posed by climate change
• Resolution 1655 (2009) on Environmentally induced migration and displacement: a 21st century challenge

Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights

• Climate change is causing an unprecedented, global human rights crisis – and must now be countered by co-ordinated, rights-based action – Viewpoint of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights

Other international organisations

• Report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the relationship between climate change and human rights
• Climate Change and Human Rights. A Rough Guide published by the International Council on Human Rights Policy, 2009