This right, enshrined in Article 20 of the Universal Declaration and Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, forms a crucial element of effective participation in providing the public with a broadbasis for informed decision making. In the context of the environment, this right encompasses the freedom to associate freely and peacefully with others to protect the environment, seek, receive and disseminate information, seek administrative and legal recourse and take collective action in support of environmental causes and affected victims.
The right to organize plays a critical role in workers’ ability to protect and reinforce their right to environmental health and safety on the job. Outside of the trade union context, the right to association in conjunction with the right to freedom of expression, allows individuals, groups and nongovernmental organizations to take part in assessing the environmental impact of decisions affecting their communities, and to mobilise the human and financial resources necessary to effectively address environmental problems. Nongovernmental organizations play a vital role in participatory democracy and possess expertise useful for improving sustainable development. The United Nations system and governments are invited to strengthen mechanisms to involve NGOs in decision making.
The right to organize plays a critical role in workers’ ability to protect and reinforce their right to environmental health and safety on the job. Outside of the trade union context, the right to association in conjunction with the right to freedom of expression, allows individuals, groups and nongovernmental organizations to take part in assessing the environmental impact of decisions affecting their communities, and to mobilise the human and financial resources necessary to effectively address environmental problems. Nongovernmental organizations play a vital role in participatory democracy and possess expertise useful for improving sustainable development. The United Nations system and governments are invited to strengthen mechanisms to involve NGOs in decision making.