Britain and the United States are among a few countries withholding support for a proposal brought at the United Nations that would recognise access to a safe and healthy environment as a human right, prompting criticism that they are undermining their own pledges ahead of the Glasgow climate conference.
"At national level, this right has been shown to empower people, particularly those most vulnerable to environmental damage or climate change, to drive change and hold governments to account," said Marc Limon of Universal Rights Group think tank.Observers following the discussions have criticised the stance of London as host of the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Glasgow next month.
Yasmine Ahmed, UK director of Human Rights Watch, said she hopes Britain "comes to its senses" because the resolution is supported by "many countries more vulnerable to climate change, the very countries that Johnson pledged to support." The United States is not currently a Council member but is vying for a seat and can still join debates as an observer.
"The evidence is overwhelming that these environmental challenges are directly affecting people's enjoyment of fundamental human rights," he said.
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