• Global dimension and Global Education approach (sustainability, SDGs and SDG 4.7)
• Mental health resilience
• What we understand with Environment
• Introduction to the triple planetary crisis (Pollution - Climate change - Biodiversity loss)
• Ecological footprint
• Introduction to the anthropo-centric (human-rights based) and eco-centric (rights of nature) approaches to the protection of environment
• Reference Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture of the Council of Europe

• Introduction to Human Rights
• Introduction to Environmental Protection
• Interconnection between human rights and the environment
• Human Rights approach to Environment     
• Legal frameworks
• Mechanisms for protection

• Introduction to Vulnerability in Environmental Contexts
• How Indigenous Peoples’ Rights are affected by ecological degradations
• Overview of international soft law and binding legal instruments designed to protect vulnerable populations from environmental harm and to promote climate justice
• Exploration of how the control and exploitation of natural resources can fuel tensions or violence and how these dynamics further impact and constrain civic space
• Civic spaces preserving environment.

• Climate litigation and its youth dimension
• Inclusion in environmental actions
• Environmental advocacy actions
• Networking and follow-up

Human Rights and the environment are intertwined. A clean, healthy and sustainable environment is integral to the full enjoyment of human rights by present and future generations.

Our world has been witnessing the increasingly severe impacts of various environmental threats, the most pressing of which are the threats posed by the triple planetary crisis of biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution. From flash flooding in Valencia to forest fires in Algeria and Greece, and the imminent threat of water scarcity looming particularly over African countries, people have directly or indirectly experienced the impact of these environmental threats. The latter have had significant spillover effects on the enjoyment of many human rights, including the rights to life and to private and family life, as well as the right to a clean and healthy environment. The United Nations recognized this connection between environmental harm and human rights as early as 1968 in Resolution 2398 (XXIII), expressing concern over how environmental degradation undermines human dignity and basic rights.

In 2023, the 4th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe recognised “the urgency of additional efforts to protect the environment, as well as to counter the impact of the triple planetary crisis of pollution, climate change and loss of biodiversity on human rights, democracy and the rule of law”. It committed to initiate the Reykjavík process of strengthening work in the field of the environment with the aim of making it a visible priority, promoting cooperation among member States, streamlining activities and coordinating efforts as laid down in Appendix V of the Reykjavík Declaration.

Young people are among the groups most vulnerable to environmental degradation and related human rights violations. At the same time, they are also among the most fervent defenders of the environment. This is evidenced by the International Court of Justice's landmark advisory opinion, which emphasised the obligation of states to curb emissions in line with the commitments set out in the Paris Agreement. The opinion was prompted by the consistent efforts and advocacy of students from Pacific Island states. At the regional and national levels, we can look to young Egyptians fighting the impact of “chemical and toxic waste” on their human rights, and to young people in Portugal suing their government and 32 others for the impact of climate change on their human rights.

Despite this, there is a notable lack of accessible human rights-based environmental education for young people, whether formal or non-formal. Most courses in this field are not youth-friendly, overlooking the importance of understanding the different legal standards relating to the environment and human rights in various regions. This accordingly limits the ability of existing educational efforts to empower young people to take human rights-based environmental action and enhance their overall resilience when facing human rights - and environment-related violations.