Asik SyedIn a historic move, the United Nations Human Rights Council has officially linked plastic pollution to human rights. On April 4, 2025, during its 58th session, the Council adopted a groundbreaking resolution recognizing the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. This resolution marks a significant shift in global environmental governance, reinforcing the deep connections between human dignity, ocean health, and plastic waste.
Why This Matters: Context Behind the Resolution
The newly adopted resolution emerges amid growing global concern over the environmental crisis fueled by plastic pollution. It builds on previous international acknowledgments—such as the 2021 UNHRC declaration of the right to a healthy environment and the 2022 UN General Assembly’s similar stance—by calling for a human rights-based approach to solving environmental challenges.
Connecting the Dots: Human Rights & the Environment
For the first time, UN member states have come together to assert that safeguarding human rights must be central to the fight against plastic pollution. According to the resolution:
- Plastic pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss are interlinked threats.
- These environmental issues not only damage marine ecosystems but also compromise fundamental human rights—especially health and dignity.
- Protecting the ocean means protecting people.
Guided by Past Resolutions and New Research
This latest resolution didn’t emerge in a vacuum. It builds on momentum from earlier UN decisions and is deeply informed by the December 2024 report from the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment. The report emphasized the ocean’s role as a single, interconnected biome that sustains life—particularly for coastal populations and small island nations who face the greatest threats from plastic pollution.
What the Resolution Demands: A Rights-Based Ocean Governance
The Council is calling for a transformation in how we govern our oceans—putting human rights at the center. This means:
- Including affected communities in decision-making
- Prioritizing the needs of vulnerable groups
- Ensuring transparency and accountability in policy development
The resolution stresses that efforts to reduce plastic pollution must span the entire plastics lifecycle—from production to disposal.
Indigenous Knowledge: A Key to Sustainability
A standout element of the resolution is its recognition of the invaluable role Indigenous Peoples and local communities play in managing ocean resources sustainably. Their traditional ecological knowledge, passed down through generations, is vital for creating inclusive and effective environmental strategies.
Spotlight on Marine Plastic Pollution
At the heart of the resolution lies an urgent focus: plastic pollution in our oceans. The Council underscores its devastating impacts—not just on biodiversity but also on economies, food systems, and human health. It calls for stronger international collaboration and the development of climate-resilient policies that protect the most affected populations.
Final Thoughts of Human Rights Council
This resolution is more than symbolic. It signals a rising global consensus: environmental protection and human rights are inseparable. By formally acknowledging the human cost of plastic pollution, the UN is paving the way for more inclusive, accountable, and just environmental action worldwide.
Neha Baruah
