A/HRC/22/43 United Nations General Assembly Distr.: General 24 December 2012 Original: English Human Rights Council Twenty-second session Agenda item 3 Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development Report of the Independent Expert on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment, John H. Knox Preliminary report Summary This report of the Independent Expert on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment is submitted to the Human Rights Council in accordance with Council resolution 19/10. The first report of the Independent Expert is intended to place the mandate in a historical context, present some of the outstanding issues relevant to the relationship between human rights and the environment and describe the current and planned programme of activities. The Independent Expert notes that the relationship between human rights and the environment has been the subject of serious, sustained attention in many different forums. Although some fundamental aspects of the relationship are now firmly established, the Independent Expert explains that many issues related to the obligations that human rights law imposes regarding environmental protection need greater study and clarification. Therefore, the first priority of his mandate is to provide greater conceptual clarity to the application of human rights obligations related to the environment. He intends to take an evidence-based approach to determining the nature, scope and content of these obligations. To inform his work, the Independent Expert will actively consult and seek input from a wide spectrum of relevant stakeholders. GE.12-18972