Environmental rights

Environmental rights are a set of principles and regulations designed to ensure the protection of the environment while safeguarding the well-being of individuals and communities that depend on it. These rights are closely linked to sustainability, as they aim to balance economic development with natural resource conservation.

In the context of carbon footprint measurement, environmental rights play a crucial role, providing an ethical and regulatory framework to mitigate the environmental impact of human activities.

What are environmental rights?

Environmental rights are fundamental rights that guarantee access to a healthy, balanced, and sustainable environment. These rights are recognized in various national and international legislations, with the primary objective of protecting both ecosystems and the people who depend on them.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), these rights include:

• Access to environmental information
• Public participation in environmental decision-making
• Access to justice in environmental matters

In Spain, environmental rights are enshrined in Article 45 of the Spanish Constitution, which states that "everyone has the right to enjoy an adequate environment for personal development, as well as the duty to preserve it."

Key components of environmental rights

1. Access to environmental information: Citizens have the right to know the state of the environment and any activities that may impact it.
2. Public participation: Communities have the right to be involved in decisions that affect the natural environment.
3. Access to justice: Individuals are guaranteed the ability to seek legal recourse to protect their environmental rights.

These principles are essential for ensuring transparency and accountability in environmental management, particularly in sectors such as industry and transportation, which are major contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The evolution of environmental rights

Environmental rights have evolved significantly since the mid-20th century, when global concerns about environmental degradation began to emerge.

One of the most important milestones in this evolution was the 1972 Stockholm Declaration, adopted at the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment. This document marked the beginning of formal recognition of environmental rights at the international level.

Later, in 1992, the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro reinforced these principles by introducing sustainable development as a core focus of environmental policies. Since then, various international treaties and agreements, such as the 2015 Paris Agreement, have highlighted the importance of environmental rights in the fight against climate change.

Environmental rights in Spain

In Spain, environmental legislation has advanced significantly in recent decades. In addition to the Spanish Constitution, specific laws such as Law 21/2013 on Environmental Impact Assessment regulate procedures for evaluating the environmental impact of projects and plans.

Spain is also a signatory to the Aarhus Convention, which promotes access to information, public participation, and justice in environmental matters.

The relationship between environmental rights and carbon footprint

The carbon footprint measures the total amount of GHG emissions generated by an activity, product, or service. It is a key indicator for evaluating the environmental impact of businesses and organizations.

In this context, environmental rights provide an ethical and legal framework to ensure that economic activities do not compromise planetary sustainability.

Impact on local communities

Respecting environmental rights also means considering the impact of carbon emissions on local communities.

For example, industrial activities with high emissions can negatively affect air quality and public health in nearby populations. Measuring and reducing the carbon footprint are essential tools for protecting these rights and ensuring sustainable development.

How companies can align with environmental rights

To comply with environmental rights, businesses must proactively manage their environmental impact. This includes not only measuring their carbon footprint but also implementing strategies for emission reduction and compensation.

Here are key strategies to achieve this:

1. Accurate Emission Measurement: Use advanced tools to calculate emissions in real-time across all scopes.
2. Emission Reduction Plans: Develop customized plans based on industry, company size, and specific needs.
3. Carbon Offset Projects: Invest in certified offset projects to help mitigate environmental impact.
4. Transparency and Reporting: Publish auditable environmental reports to keep stakeholders informed about sustainability progress.

The future of environmental rights

As climate change becomes one of the greatest challenges of our time, environmental rights will continue to gain importance. The transition to a low-carbon economy will require:

• The adoption of clean technologies
• The strengthening of legal and ethical frameworks that protect the environment

In this context, companies play a crucial role. By adopting sustainable practices and respecting environmental rights, they not only contribute to climate action but also enhance their reputation and competitiveness in an increasingly sustainability-conscious market.

Manglai: A key tool for protecting environmental rights

Environmental rights are essential to ensure a balance between economic development and environmental protection. In the context of carbon footprint measurement, these rights provide an ethical and legal framework to mitigate the environmental impact of human activities.

Tools like those offered by Manglai enable companies to:

• Measure emissions
• Take action
• Report and certify carbon data

These solutions are essential to help businesses comply with environmental principles and move toward a more sustainable future.

Adopting sustainable practices and respecting environmental rights not only benefit the planet but also generate value for businesses and communities. Protecting the environment is a shared responsibility that requires the collaboration of all sectors of society.