Despite many great strides in the development of human rights norms pertaining to environmental protection, still no globally recognised human right to a healthy environment exists. Is it likely, that such a right will be recognised in the foreseeable future? What are the advantages and disadvantages of such recognition and what difference would it make? Prof. Knox, the UN Independent Expert on Environment and Human Rights addressed these questions in his lecture given at the Graduate Institute on 10 March 2015. The Video Recording of his lecture is now available online.

Prof. Knox is an expert on human rights law and international environmental law.  In July 2012, the United Nations Human Rights Council appointed him to a three-year mandate as its first Independent Expert on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment. On 26 March 2015, the Human Rights Council renewed his mandate for another three years and changed his title to Special Rapporteur.