Connecting ecosystem services research and human rights to revamp the application of the precautionary principle

Authors

Holly J. Niner, School of Biological and Marine Sciences
Elisa Morgera, University of Strathclyde
Andrea Longo, University of Strathclyde
Kerry L. Howell, School of Biological and Marine Sciences
Siân E. Rees, School of Biological and Marine Science

ORCID

• Holly J. Niner: 0000-0002-9567-9225
• Kerry L. Howell: 0000-0003-3359-1778

Abstract

With ecosystem services (ES) vital for human wellbeing¹, the protection of nature is a human rights matter. We outline how recent advances in international human rights law should inform a revamp of how precaution is applied within environmental decision-making. Critically, precautionary decision-making must evolve to make use of best-available evidence, including novel ES research approaches, to assess ‘foreseeable’ harms to all aspects of human wellbeing that are protected as human rights.

DOI

10.1038/s44183-024-00072-8

Publication Date

2024-07-24

Publication Title

npj Ocean Sustainability

Volume

3

Issue

1

Recommended Citation

Niner, H., Morgera, E., Longo, A., Howell, K., & Rees, S. (2024) 'Connecting ecosystem services research and human rights to revamp the application of the precautionary principle', npj Ocean Sustainability, 3(1). Available at: 10.1038/s44183-024-00072-8