This paper examines the background to current discussions on Environmental and Human Rights. It has been produced by ANPED, the Northern Alliance for Sustainability, a network of NGOs in all parts of the Northern hemisphere, that is working to promote the need for such rights. ANPED has produced this paper in conjunction with the Environment Liaison Centre International (ELCI) in Nairobi, Kenya and with two ANPED members, Capacity (an NGO focusing on environment and social justice based in the UK and Germany) and EcoPravo Kiev (an environmental law focused NGO in Ukraine).