New Legal Brief about the human right to the environment in Latin America and the Caribbean, and its relationship to food and agriculture
On 28 July 2022, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/76/300, recognizing that everyone has the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. This recognition is particularly relevant considering global issues such as environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, and the impacts of climate change, which have affected the full enjoyment of various human rights, including the right to adequate food. Without an environment that meets appropriate conditions, food supply, quality, and safety is at risk.
The Legal Brief Nº 11 on "The Human Right to the Environment in Latin America and the Caribbean, and Its Relationship with Food and Agriculture," (available only in Spanish) published by the Legal Office's Development Law Service (LEGN) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in May 2023, highlights the importance of the human right to the environment in the Latin America and Caribbean Region, and its relationship to food, agriculture, and other areas of interest to FAO's mandate.
The publication briefly analyzes the international protection of the right to the environment in the universal human rights system and in the Inter-American system. It draws upon a previous publication by LEGN, Legal Paper Nº109 on "Human Rights and the Environment" (available only in English) and provides updated information on some recent jurisprudential developments.
The note also emphasizes the experience of the Model Law of the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament (PARLATINO) on Climate Change and Food and Nutritional Security (available only in Spanish). Furthermore, it highlights the constitutional recognition of the right to the environment and the right to adequate food in countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, and how this recognition constitutes a significant tool for addressing these issues.
It is expected that this brief publication (10 pages) will be of interest and usefulness to government officials, parliamentarians, environmental lawyers, activists, and other decision-makers involved in public policy and legislation in the Latin America and Caribbean region.
You can find the Legal Brief (available only in Spanish) at the following link: https://doi.org/10.4060/cc6055es