GI-ESCR submits report to the UN Special Rapporteur on a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment

GI-ESCR reacted to the call for inputs by the UN Special Rapporteur on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment for his annual report to the UN General Assembly on “Human Rights, Transformative Actions and the UN Sustainable Development Goals”.

The report comes in light of the upcoming midpoint of the 2030 Agenda in which States have committed to 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which were supposed to be achieved between 2015 and 2030. However, progress has been slow or even reversed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the report, the Special Rapporteur aims at clarifying the actions needed in order to speed up the progress on the SDGs which are closely tied to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

In our submission to the report, we highlight how gender equality can further promote and strengthen the achievement of SDG 7 on access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. We emphasise the importance of public participation and especially women and girls’ active and meaningful participation which will ensure that the green transition to safe and clean renewable energy is just and that human rights are used as a guiding compass to guide the gender-just green transition.

*Read more abour our work on Renewable Energies and Gender Justice.