Our environment, our rights

The document argues that current global models of production and consumption driven by neoliberal economic globalisation lead to increasing human and environmental rights violations. It advocates for the recognition of specific new rights, including the right to a sustainable livelihood, a clean and healthy environment, and the right to resist unwanted developments. It emphasizes that collective rights are essential for the survival and cultural preservation of indigenous peoples and minorities, noting that some legal recognition exists in Colombia, Bolivia, and Ecuador. Additionally, it highlights the necessity of the 'right to know' to counter corporate and government secrecy and the 'right to resist' as a fundamental democratic right, despite the risks faced by activists worldwide.

• The current global model of production and consumption, driven by neoliberal economic globalisation, is causing an increase in human and environmental rights violations despite the existence of legal frameworks.
• Environmental rights are defined as access to unspoiled natural resources necessary for survival—such as land, shelter, food, water, and air—and include political rights like the right to information, participation in decision-making, and the right to resist unwanted developments.
• Collective rights are necessary for the survival and cultural identity of indigenous peoples and minorities, as individual human rights are insufficient for their protection. These rights are recognized in Article 169 of the International Labour Organization and the constitutions of Bolivia, Colombia, and Ecuador.
• The 'right to know' is essential for environmental protection, as governments and corporations often maintain secrecy regarding projects that are illegal, unethical, or unpopular.
• While the right to freedom of opinion and expression is established in international law, such as in Articles 3 and 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, environmental and human rights activists globally are often denied these rights and face risks to their lives when resisting the status quo.

APA

Friends of the Earth International (n.d.). Our environment, our rights. https://www.foei.org/publication/our-environment-our-rights/

Chicago

Friends of the Earth International. Our environment, our rights. n.d. https://www.foei.org/publication/our-environment-our-rights/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Friends of the Earth International |title=Our environment, our rights |url=https://www.foei.org/publication/our-environment-our-rights/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{friendsoftheearthinternationalndour, author = {{Friends of the Earth International}}, title = {{Our environment, our rights}}, institution = {Friends of the Earth International}, url = {https://www.foei.org/publication/our-environment-our-rights/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }