The public debate between Dutch environment minister Hans Alders and Sunita Narain of the Centre for Science and Environment, covering a whole variety of global environmental issues, including the forest convention and the climate convention, turned into

Industrialised countries uneasy at the prospect of a shift from traditional political rights for the individual to rights that link communities and the environment?

The UN is finalising a draft declaration on special rights for indigenous people, but this is being opposed by some governments.

National constitutions have rarely established environmental rights as human rights, but an increasing number recognise the right to a healthy environment and have provisions directed at environmental protection: