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
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
#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
November 17, 2025 at 4:15 PM
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
#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
Looking forward to this Climate Solutions event on Thursday!
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...
Register here:
climatesolutions.ubc.ca/news-and-eve...
Climate Solutions Research Collective Annual Kickoff - Featuring David Boyd
Join 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...
climatesolutions.ubc.ca
September 9, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Looking forward to this Climate Solutions event on Thursday!
Reposted by Dr. David R. Boyd
Join @drdavidboyd.bsky.social's talk next week on this summer's powerful legal updates on the right to a healthy environment!
📍September 11, 2025 | CIRS BC Hydro Theatre
2:00 – 2:30 pm Networking (in-person)
2:30 – 3:30 pm Presentation (in-person and online)
climatesolutions.ubc.ca/news-and-eve...
📍September 11, 2025 | CIRS BC Hydro Theatre
2:00 – 2:30 pm Networking (in-person)
2:30 – 3:30 pm Presentation (in-person and online)
climatesolutions.ubc.ca/news-and-eve...
September 3, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Join @drdavidboyd.bsky.social's talk next week on this summer's powerful legal updates on the right to a healthy environment!
📍September 11, 2025 | CIRS BC Hydro Theatre
2:00 – 2:30 pm Networking (in-person)
2:30 – 3:30 pm Presentation (in-person and online)
climatesolutions.ubc.ca/news-and-eve...
📍September 11, 2025 | CIRS BC Hydro Theatre
2:00 – 2:30 pm Networking (in-person)
2:30 – 3:30 pm Presentation (in-person and online)
climatesolutions.ubc.ca/news-and-eve...
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 ...
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
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
Commitee calls on the Council of Europe to assume its role in addressing climate change and its impact on our fundamental rights
The 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...
https://pace.coe.int/en/news/9992/commitee-calls-on-the-council-of-europe-to-assume[%E2%80%A6]essing-climate-change-and-its-impact-on-our-fundamental-rights
September 9, 2025 at 7:22 PM
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 ...
Reposted by Dr. David R. Boyd
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
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
Commitee calls on the Council of Europe to assume its role in addressing climate change and its impact on our fundamental rights
The 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...
https://pace.coe.int/en/news/9992/commitee-calls-on-the-council-of-europe-to-assume[%E2%80%A6]essing-climate-change-and-its-impact-on-our-fundamental-rights
September 9, 2025 at 12:09 PM
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
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
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:
August 13, 2025 at 4:45 PM
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:
Reposted by Dr. David R. Boyd
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-...
@drdavidboyd.bsky.social, IRES professor & former UN Special Rapporteur, discussed its implications:
🔗 verfassungsblog.de/icj-climate-...
August 7, 2025 at 11:02 PM
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-...
@drdavidboyd.bsky.social, IRES professor & former UN Special Rapporteur, discussed its implications:
🔗 verfassungsblog.de/icj-climate-...
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 $
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 $
August 1, 2025 at 1:20 AM
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 $
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 $
Driven by youth and Small Island States, courts have made it clear that bold climate action and generous climate finance are legally binding obligations that States must fulfil to protect the climate system & protect human rights
verfassungsblog.de/icj-climate-...
verfassungsblog.de/right-to-a-h...
verfassungsblog.de/icj-climate-...
verfassungsblog.de/right-to-a-h...
A Right Foundational to Humanity’s Existence
verfassungsblog.de
July 31, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Driven by youth and Small Island States, courts have made it clear that bold climate action and generous climate finance are legally binding obligations that States must fulfil to protect the climate system & protect human rights
verfassungsblog.de/icj-climate-...
verfassungsblog.de/right-to-a-h...
verfassungsblog.de/icj-climate-...
verfassungsblog.de/right-to-a-h...
Reposted by Dr. David R. Boyd
🌍⚖️ The ICJ now recognizes the right to a healthy environment—a breakthrough for international climate justice.
Read the latest blog post by @drdavidboyd.bsky.social unpacks what this means for law, human rights, and environmental accountability.
🔗 buff.ly/hmYD5xA
#ICJ #HumanRights
Read the latest blog post by @drdavidboyd.bsky.social unpacks what this means for law, human rights, and environmental accountability.
🔗 buff.ly/hmYD5xA
#ICJ #HumanRights
July 30, 2025 at 8:58 PM
🌍⚖️ The ICJ now recognizes the right to a healthy environment—a breakthrough for international climate justice.
Read the latest blog post by @drdavidboyd.bsky.social unpacks what this means for law, human rights, and environmental accountability.
🔗 buff.ly/hmYD5xA
#ICJ #HumanRights
Read the latest blog post by @drdavidboyd.bsky.social unpacks what this means for law, human rights, and environmental accountability.
🔗 buff.ly/hmYD5xA
#ICJ #HumanRights
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!
July 23, 2025 at 3:03 PM
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!
Reposted by Dr. David R. Boyd
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.
NEW – Analysis: China’s clean-energy exports in 2024 alone will cut overseas CO2 by 1% | @laurimyllyvirta.bsky.social
Read here: buff.ly/V7BVSsL
Read here: buff.ly/V7BVSsL
July 22, 2025 at 5:05 AM
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.
Reposted by Dr. David R. Boyd
‼️ 🌍⚖️NEW POST: @drdavidboyd.bsky.social discusses 3 points on the advisory opinion—the right to a healthy climate, the rights of Nature, & the recognition of a new jus cogens norm prohibiting massive & irreversible damage to the climate & environment.
Read ➡️ blogs.law.columbia.edu/climatechang...
Read ➡️ blogs.law.columbia.edu/climatechang...
July 21, 2025 at 7:14 PM
‼️ 🌍⚖️NEW POST: @drdavidboyd.bsky.social discusses 3 points on the advisory opinion—the right to a healthy climate, the rights of Nature, & the recognition of a new jus cogens norm prohibiting massive & irreversible damage to the climate & environment.
Read ➡️ blogs.law.columbia.edu/climatechang...
Read ➡️ blogs.law.columbia.edu/climatechang...
Reposted by Dr. David R. Boyd
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
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
The World’s Highest Court Can’t Ignore the World’s Biggest Climate Culprit: Fossil Fuels - Center for International Environmental Law
ICJ 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.
bit.ly
July 22, 2025 at 8:01 AM
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
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
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!
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!
July 22, 2025 at 4:14 PM
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!
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!
Reposted by Dr. David R. Boyd
🔥 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.
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.
July 22, 2025 at 12:06 PM
🔥 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.
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.
Reposted by Dr. David R. Boyd
Climate justice win! IA Court on Human Rights elaborates legal obligations around a healthy climate as part of the right to a healthy environment.
Meanwhile @coe.int still debates whether it should recognise it.
Our answer? YES - we urge the Council to adopt a protocol to the European Convention!
Meanwhile @coe.int still debates whether it should recognise it.
Our answer? YES - we urge the Council to adopt a protocol to the European Convention!
July 17, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Climate justice win! IA Court on Human Rights elaborates legal obligations around a healthy climate as part of the right to a healthy environment.
Meanwhile @coe.int still debates whether it should recognise it.
Our answer? YES - we urge the Council to adopt a protocol to the European Convention!
Meanwhile @coe.int still debates whether it should recognise it.
Our answer? YES - we urge the Council to adopt a protocol to the European Convention!
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 ...
The right basically prohibits "anthropogenic conduct with an irreversible impact on the vital balance of the planetary ecosystem"
More to follow ...
July 3, 2025 at 5:37 PM
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 ...
The right basically prohibits "anthropogenic conduct with an irreversible impact on the vital balance of the planetary ecosystem"
More to follow ...
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 ...
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 ...
July 3, 2025 at 4:11 PM
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 ...
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 ...
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
Ezra Klein NYT
May 25, 2025 at 1:34 PM
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
Ezra Klein NYT
Reposted by Dr. David R. Boyd
The climate, pollution & biodiversity crisis is harming our health, says Denis Fernando of @friends-earth.bsky.social
At next week's @coe.int meeting, Ministers must support a binding instrument legally protecting the right to a #HealthyEnvironmentForAll - foundational to all human rights!
At next week's @coe.int meeting, Ministers must support a binding instrument legally protecting the right to a #HealthyEnvironmentForAll - foundational to all human rights!
May 8, 2025 at 1:25 PM
The climate, pollution & biodiversity crisis is harming our health, says Denis Fernando of @friends-earth.bsky.social
At next week's @coe.int meeting, Ministers must support a binding instrument legally protecting the right to a #HealthyEnvironmentForAll - foundational to all human rights!
At next week's @coe.int meeting, Ministers must support a binding instrument legally protecting the right to a #HealthyEnvironmentForAll - foundational to all human rights!
Reposted by Dr. David R. Boyd
States must act now in a global environmental crisis.
Former UN Rapporteur @drdavidboyd.bsky.social urges @coe.int Ministers meeting in Luxembourg to start negotiating a binding instrument on the right to a #HealthyEnvironmentForAll.
You've backed it at the UN, now make it real for Europe!
Former UN Rapporteur @drdavidboyd.bsky.social urges @coe.int Ministers meeting in Luxembourg to start negotiating a binding instrument on the right to a #HealthyEnvironmentForAll.
You've backed it at the UN, now make it real for Europe!
May 13, 2025 at 9:12 AM
States must act now in a global environmental crisis.
Former UN Rapporteur @drdavidboyd.bsky.social urges @coe.int Ministers meeting in Luxembourg to start negotiating a binding instrument on the right to a #HealthyEnvironmentForAll.
You've backed it at the UN, now make it real for Europe!
Former UN Rapporteur @drdavidboyd.bsky.social urges @coe.int Ministers meeting in Luxembourg to start negotiating a binding instrument on the right to a #HealthyEnvironmentForAll.
You've backed it at the UN, now make it real for Europe!
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...
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...
Most of world's colourful corals go white in record-breaking bleaching | CBC News
The 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...
www.cbc.ca
April 23, 2025 at 11:07 PM
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...
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...
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!
This is a total perversion of justice, opposite of "polluter pays" and hopefully overturned on appeal.
I ❤️ Greenpeace!
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...
✅Public participation
✅ Access to justice, including due process are procedural elements of the right to #HealthyEnvironment
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/19/c...
Greenpeace Is Ordered to Pay Energy Transfer, a Pipeline Company, $660 Million
The environmental group had said the lawsuit, over its role in a protest movement, could mean an end to its operations in the United States.
www.nytimes.com
March 20, 2025 at 12:23 AM
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!
This is a total perversion of justice, opposite of "polluter pays" and hopefully overturned on appeal.
I ❤️ Greenpeace!
Reposted by Dr. David R. Boyd
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/...
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/...
Why fear of billion-dollar lawsuits stops countries phasing out fossil fuels
Companies can sue governments for closing oilfields and mines – and the risk of huge damages is already stopping countries from passing green laws, ministers say
www.theguardian.com
March 11, 2025 at 7:35 PM
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/...
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/...