Dr. David R. Boyd

Dr. David R. Boyd

@drdavidboyd.bsky.social

Professor, lawyer, author, activist, ultra-sport enthusiast, father, nature lover, and former UN Special Rapporteur on the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment

440 followers45 following56 posts

Dr. David R. Boyd
@drdavidboyd.bsky.social

Fires blazing in Spain and France! Urgent need for bold rights-based climate action! 1. Council of Europe must enshrine right to healthy environment in law 2. massive investment in renewables, batteries and efficiency 3. adaptation programs supporting low-income and other vulnerable communities

Center for International Environmental Law@ciel.org

1️⃣ year ago, the International Court of Justice confirmed that States have binding obligations to respect, protect & fulfill human rights in addressing the climate crisis, incl. the right to a clean, healthy & sustainable environment. A🧵on the #ICJClimateAO& the right to a #HealthyEnvironmentForAll.

Dr. David R. Boyd
@drdavidboyd.bsky.social

Manvi Ball eloquently articulates the need for Canada to step up on environmental justice!

UBC IRES@ires.ubc.ca

Canada has finally acknowledged environmental injustice. Now the real work begins. With consultations on the horizon, public participation will be key to turning recognition into action. @manvi.bsky.social explains what’s at stake in her new op-ed: www.hilltimes.com/2026/05/06/c...

Dr. David R. Boyd
@drdavidboyd.bsky.social

These ISDS provisions favor foreign investors over human rights and the environment. Multinational corporations have forced Latin American governments to pay $$billions for taking action to protect the climate and the environment. www.ohchr.org/en/documents...

ohchr.orgA/78/168: Paying polluters: the catastrophic consequences of investor-State dispute settlement for climate and environment action and human rightsIn the present report, the Special Rapporteur on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment, David R. Boyd, chronicles the co...

Dr. David R. Boyd reposted

UBC IRES
@ires.ubc.ca

España exporta al Sur Global miles de toneladas de pesticidas prohibidos en la UE, aplicando un “doble rasero” que prioriza el beneficio comercial sobre la salud y la biodiversidad exterior. La columna de Naia Ormaza Zulueta y @drdavidboyd.bsky.social, aquí: www.elsaltodiario.com/agrotoxicos/...

elsaltodiario.comToneladas de riesgo: el auge de la exportación de pesticidas ilegales en EspañaEspaña exporta al Sur Global miles de toneladas de pesticidas prohibidos en la UE, aplicando un “doble rasero” que prioriza el beneficio comercial sobre la salud y la biodiversidad exterior.

Dr. David R. Boyd reposted

UBC News
@news.ubc.ca

The Trump administration's repeal of the endangerment finding "is based on junk science and is probably unlawful," said @drdavidboyd.bsky.social a law professor at UBC. www.nationalobserver.com/2026/02/13/n...

nationalobserver.comTrump ditched the bedrock of US climate action — experts caution Canada not to follow suitThe Trump administration's move to gut the bedrock of US climate legislation last week presents Canada with an inevitable choice: lower our standards to meet theirs and remain competitive in North Ame...
Dr. David R. Boyd
@drdavidboyd.bsky.social

Encouraging development at the Council of Europe! Surely Europe can support the fundamental importance of recognizing that every person has the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. This right can make a genuine difference in people's lives! The time to act is now!!

Right to a Healthy Environment at the CoE@healthyenvcoe.bsky.social

Our Campaign welcomes that momentum is building among member States of the @coe.int to make concrete progress towards negotiations of a binding instrument on the right to a healthy environment! 1/3

Dr. David R. Boyd
@drdavidboyd.bsky.social

Canada's regressive new climate policies violate international law. New oil pipeline, gut Clean Electricity Standard (to phase out coal), kill consumer carbon tax, eliminate EV sales mandate, kill oil & gas sector emissions cap, increase fossil fuel subsidies, kill coastal oil shipping moratorium,

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Dr. David R. Boyd
@drdavidboyd.bsky.social

— may constitute an internationally wrongful act which is attributable to that State." At a critical time, the world is rapidly embracing a clean energy future--solar, wind, batteries, heat pumps, electric transport--so Canada's new policies are not only bad for the global climate but the economy.

Dr. David R. Boyd
@drdavidboyd.bsky.social

Canada's regressive new climate policies violate international law. New oil pipeline, gut Clean Electricity Standard (to phase out coal), kill consumer carbon tax, eliminate EV sales mandate, kill oil & gas sector emissions cap, increase fossil fuel subsidies, kill coastal oil shipping moratorium,

Dr. David R. Boyd
@drdavidboyd.bsky.social

Int'l Court of Justice: "Failure of a State to take appropriate action to protect the climate system from GHG emissions — including through fossil fuel production, fossil fuel consumption, the granting of fossil fuel exploration licences or the provision of fossil fuel subsidies ...

Dr. David R. Boyd
@drdavidboyd.bsky.social

I am furious with Canada's government. Why? #1 betraying climate commitments (ending carbon tax, failing to cap oil and gas emissions, fast-tracking fossil fuel projects) #2 worsening inequality, by scrapping changes to capital gains tax and eliminating the luxury tax on yachts and private jets

Dr. David R. Boyd
@drdavidboyd.bsky.social

#3 eliminating the Underused Housing Tax, a move which will only benefit foreign millionaires #4 #3 detaining former UN human rights experts (Richard Falk and Hilal Elver) at the border as national security risks ... Richard is a 95 year-old retired academic!

Dr. David R. Boyd
@drdavidboyd.bsky.social

Looking forward to this Climate Solutions event on Thursday!

UBC Climate Solutions Research Collective@ubccsrc.bsky.social

Our Annual Kickoff Event on Thursday will have doors open at 2pm, join us for networking to meet with leading and upcoming voices on climate issues at UBC. Meet new people and see familiar faces, share your expertise and connect with others. Register here: climatesolutions.ubc.ca/news-and-eve...

climatesolutions.ubc.caClimate Solutions Research Collective Annual Kickoff - Featuring David BoydJoin the Climate Solutions Research Collective for the launch of its third year as we gather with colleagues to discuss critical issues related to climate solutions and how the community can contribut...
Dr. David R. Boyd
@drdavidboyd.bsky.social

Surely the time for excuses and delays is over. The Council of Europe must finally adopt a protocol recognizing the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. As the International Court of Justice unanimously concluded, "in so far as States parties to human rights treaties ...

Right to a Healthy Environment at the CoE@healthyenvcoe.bsky.social

The call comes from within – again! Last Friday, the Committee on Social Affairs, Health & Sustainable Development of the @coe.int called for the legal protection of the right to a healthy environment! 🌍 pace.coe.int/en/news/9992... 1/5

pace.coe.intCommitee calls on the Council of Europe to assume its role in addressing climate change and its impact on our fundamental rightsThe Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development notes with grave concern that Europe has entered an era in which climate-related disasters are becoming structural: persistent droug...
Dr. David R. Boyd
@drdavidboyd.bsky.social

are required to guarantee the effective enjoyment of such rights, it is difficult to see how these obligations can be fulfilled without at the same time ensuring the protection of the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a human right. "

Dr. David R. Boyd reposted

Right to a Healthy Environment at the CoE
@healthyenvcoe.bsky.social

The call comes from within – again! Last Friday, the Committee on Social Affairs, Health & Sustainable Development of the @coe.int called for the legal protection of the right to a healthy environment! 🌍 pace.coe.int/en/news/9992... 1/5

pace.coe.intCommitee calls on the Council of Europe to assume its role in addressing climate change and its impact on our fundamental rightsThe Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development notes with grave concern that Europe has entered an era in which climate-related disasters are becoming structural: persistent droug...
Dr. David R. Boyd
@drdavidboyd.bsky.social

The substantive obligations stemming from the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment can be found in previous reports by the Special Rapporteur, and confirmed by courts across the world. States must take immediate and ambitious rights-based action to:

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Dr. David R. Boyd
@drdavidboyd.bsky.social

-phase out the use of coal, oil and natural gas by investing in renewable energy, energy storage and energy efficiency and assist climate vulnerable nations in adapting to the climate emergency (A/74/161); -conserve, protect and restore biodiversity (A/75/161);

Dr. David R. Boyd
@drdavidboyd.bsky.social

The substantive obligations stemming from the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment can be found in previous reports by the Special Rapporteur, and confirmed by courts across the world. States must take immediate and ambitious rights-based action to:

Dr. David R. Boyd
@drdavidboyd.bsky.social

-improve air quality by reducing both outdoor and household air pollution (A/HRC/40/55); -ensure everyone has access to safe and sufficient water (A/HRC/46/28); -transform industrial agriculture to produce healthy and sustainable food (A/76/179);

Dr. David R. Boyd reposted

UBC IRES
@ires.ubc.ca

July 2025 marked a significant milestone for climate justice as the human right to a healthy environment was recognized by top judicial authorities. @drdavidboyd.bsky.social, IRES professor & former UN Special Rapporteur, discussed its implications: 🔗 verfassungsblog.de/icj-climate-...

Dr. David R. Boyd@drdavidboyd.bsky.social

ICJ Advisory Opinion! This is an absolutely massive and historic day for climate justice! Huge thanks to Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change and World Youth for Climate Justice who deserve the Nobel Peace Prize for their role in this. Also kudos to Vanuatu for incredible leadership!

Dr. David R. Boyd
@drdavidboyd.bsky.social

Big question Has there ever been a more important court ruling than last week's advisory opinion on climate change from the International Court of Justice? Facing an existential threat, the ICJ ruled that all States are obligated to protect the climate system by decarbonizing ASAP or polluters pay $

Dr. David R. Boyd
@drdavidboyd.bsky.social

ICJ Advisory Opinion! This is an absolutely massive and historic day for climate justice! Huge thanks to Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change and World Youth for Climate Justice who deserve the Nobel Peace Prize for their role in this. Also kudos to Vanuatu for incredible leadership!

Dr. David R. Boyd reposted

Lauri Myllyvirta
@laurimyllyvirta.bsky.social

New from me: How China's clean energy manufacturing boom is helping reduce CO2 emissions overseas. In 2024, China’s exports of solar panels, batteries and electric vehicles are shaved 1% off global emissions outside of China.

Carbon Brief@carbonbrief.org

NEW – Analysis: China’s clean-energy exports in 2024 alone will cut overseas CO2 by 1% | @laurimyllyvirta.bsky.social Read here: buff.ly/V7BVSsL

Dr. David R. Boyd reposted

Center for International Environmental Law
@ciel.org

Tomorrow, the #ICJ rules on climate justice - and #FossilFuels are finally on trial. Why does it matter? Our new blog explains why naming and phasing out fossil fuels is a legal and moral necessity. Read more👉 bit.ly/4kPEEBU #ClimateJustice

bit.lyThe World’s Highest Court Can’t Ignore the World’s Biggest Climate Culprit: Fossil Fuels - Center for International Environmental LawICJ must name fossil fuels as the culprit in the climate crisis and declare States’ legal duty to phase them out and bring polluters to justice.
Dr. David R. Boyd
@drdavidboyd.bsky.social

Tomorrow the world's highest court, the International Court of Justice, will issue what may be the most important judicial ruling in human history. Facing an unprecedented climate emergency, will the Court have the courage to stand up to the fossil fuel giants and hold them accountable? Stay tuned!

Dr. David R. Boyd
@drdavidboyd.bsky.social

I like this quote from Justice Weeramantry, from an earlier advisory opinion on the legality of using nuclear weapons: "It is thus the gravest of possible issues which confronts the Court in this Advisory Opinion. It requires the Court to scrutinize every available source of international law, ...

Dr. David R. Boyd reposted

Center for International Environmental Law
@ciel.org

🔥 TOMORROW, history will be made. The International Court of Justice #CIJ_ICJ will issue its first-ever Advisory Opinion on the #ClimateCrisis, a legal milestone that could redefine states’ responsibilities to protect #HumanRights and the planet.

Dr. David R. Boyd
@drdavidboyd.bsky.social

The right to a healthy environment is at the heart of the Inter_American Court of Human Rights powerful new ruling on the climate emergency. The right basically prohibits "anthropogenic conduct with an irreversible impact on the vital balance of the planetary ecosystem" More to follow ...

Dr. David R. Boyd
@drdavidboyd.bsky.social

OK, here we go! The Inter-American Court of Human Rights is releasing its Advisory Opinion on human rights and the climate emergency. Huge anticipation that this could be a powerful catalyst for climate justice, by clarifying the obligations that State must respect and the actions they must take ...

Dr. David R. Boyd
@drdavidboyd.bsky.social

Trump's budget has $1.1 trillion in tax cuts for people making more than $500,000/year. And it has $1.1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and food stamps. Straight transfer from people who cannot afford food and medical care to people who can afford to fly first class. Ezra Klein NYT

Dr. David R. Boyd
@drdavidboyd.bsky.social

This is more important than all of the idiotic Trump announcements of the past two months: Record breaking coral bleaching, with potential impacts in the trillions of dollars Also, heart-breaking!! Climate crisis is NOT a hoax. www.cbc.ca/news/science...

cbc.caMost of world's colourful corals go white in record-breaking bleaching | CBC NewsThe world's rainbow reefs have gone ghostly white in seas around the globe due to record heat in the oceans, the International Coral Reef Initiative reports. But scientists say the reefs aren't all de...
Dr. David R. Boyd
@drdavidboyd.bsky.social

Further evidence of a world turned upside down--those striving to protect this beautiful planet and its life support system ordered to pay $660 million to a fossil fuel giant. This is a total perversion of justice, opposite of "polluter pays" and hopefully overturned on appeal. I ❤️ Greenpeace!

Astrid Puentes, UN Special Rapporteur on Healthy Environment@srenvironment.bsky.social

Worrisome news from US courts regarding claimed SLAPP action vs Greenpeace for their work supporting Standing Rock & Indigenous Peoples Rights ✅Public participation ✅ Access to justice, including due process are procedural elements of the right to #HealthyEnvironment www.nytimes.com/2025/03/19/c...

nytimes.comGreenpeace Is Ordered to Pay Energy Transfer, a Pipeline Company, $660 MillionThe environmental group had said the lawsuit, over its role in a protest movement, could mean an end to its operations in the United States.

Dr. David R. Boyd reposted

UBC IRES
@ires.ubc.ca

The fear of billion-dollar lawsuits is stopping countries from phasing out fossil fuels. The Guardian analyzed the investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) system, citing a 2023 report by IRES/@ubcsppga.bsky.social prof @drdavidboyd.bsky.social: www.theguardian.com/environment/...

theguardian.comWhy fear of billion-dollar lawsuits stops countries phasing out fossil fuelsCompanies can sue governments for closing oilfields and mines – and the risk of huge damages is already stopping countries from passing green laws, ministers say
Dr. David R. Boyd
@drdavidboyd.bsky.social

Human rights are non-negotiable. The US can walk away from the UN Human Rights Council but it cannot walk away from its human rights obligations. Russia is a human rights free zone. We must united our efforts to prevent the USA from becoming the same.

Dr. David R. Boyd reposted

UBC Science
@science.ubc.ca

Canada's air #pollution laws not being properly enforced as industrial polluters aren't being held to account for offenses, say @ires.ubc.ca professors Drs. Amanda Giang (@agiang.bsky.social) and David R Boyd (@drdavidboyd.bsky.social). theconversation.com/big-corporat...

theconversation.comBig corporations are getting away with catastrophic air pollution – putting Canadians at riskBetween 2000 and 2020, only one-third of environmental enforcement actions were actually brought against the biggest corporate offenders.
Dr. David R. Boyd
@drdavidboyd.bsky.social

The Committee of Ministers decides that 🇨🇭isn't yet doing enough to meet the landmark #KlimaSeniorinnen judgment. www.greenpeace.ch/de/medienmit...

greenpeace.chKlimaSeniorinnen judgment: The Committee of Ministers sends the Swiss government back to the drawing board - Greenpeace SchweizThe Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe decided this week that Switzerland is not yet complying with the requirements of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ruling…
Dr. David R. Boyd
@drdavidboyd.bsky.social

Delighted to share my conversation with brilliant climate law expert Anirudh Nanda. Lots of outrage and a healthy dose of optimism! creators.spotify.com/pod/show/is-...

creators.spotify.comDavid R. Boyd on Right to Healthy Environment, Journey as Special Rapporteur & Environmental Justice by Is Climate Change Your Concern?In this conversation, Dr. David R. Boyd, a leading voice in environmental law and former UN Special Rapporteur, provides a comprehensive overview of the right to a healthy environment. He discusses th...