Independent Expert Knox Commends France's Environmental Charter

UN Independent Expert John Knox visited France from 20 to 24 October 2014. At the end of his visit he shared his preliminary findings and conclusions, and discussed the relationship between climate change and human rights. 

He acknowledged France as having been in the forefront of linking human rights and environmental protection because of its adoption of an Environmental Charter at the constitutional level. France will host the 2015 Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Knox stated, "I am encouraged by the understanding of the French Government of the grave threat climate change poses to the full enjoyment of human rights, and its commitment to ensure a successful outcome to the 2015 talks." The Independent Expert will prepare a public report with conclusions and recommendations on topics examined during the visit, which will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2015. Read the press release here.