The Supreme Court of India, for the first time, recognised the right against the adverse impacts of climate change.
SC says, it is intertwined with the right to life and equality that are embedded in the Indian constitution.
Article 21 recognises the right to life and personal liberty while Article 14 indicates that all persons shall have equality before law and the equal protection of laws.
These Articles are important sources of the right to a clean environment and the right against the adverse effects of climate change,” it said.
Article 48A of the Constitution provides that the State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wild life of the country.
The Clause (g) of Article 51A stipulates that it shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures.