1. Key Policy Questions and related issues:
1. How are environmental rights intersecting with digital rights?
2. How can digital rights defenders and environmental rights defenders work together towards shared priorities?
3. How can environmental law and governance inform governance of the internet as a global commons?
2. Summary of Issues Discussed:
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Environmental rights and digital rights are human rights. Governance of the internet must be rooted in respect for human rights, including the right to a healthy environment.
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Practices and governance of indigenous movements can inspire governance of the internet that serves environmental justice, particularly: (1) consent; (2) self determination; (3) informed prior free consultation.
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Meaningful access to the internet and digital technologies enable environmental rights, including related rights to freedom of expression, assembly, education, and participation in political and public life. Affordability and accessibility continue to be barriers to meaningful access, while communities find alternative solutions for connectivity.
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The Durban Declaration, one of the most comprehensive multilateral instrument on issues related to racism and racial discrimination, points out the need to promote the use of ICTs, and that all states must recognise the importance of community media.
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Environmental governance models and processes are valuable resources for governance of the internet as a global commons. Natural and social boundaries can be identified.
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Principles of environmental law, such as the 'precautionary principle', provide a basis for governance of the internet as a global commons.
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SDG Goal 7 emphasizes access to affordable and clean energy, and the internet and digital technologies have huge demands for energy. Individuals must be able to choose options that support affordable, clean energy.
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Multi-stakeholder processes like the IGF are uncommon for environmental governance, and are more likely to be focused narrowly on conservation, which is not aligned with the principles of environmental justice movements.
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While environmental and social justice movements have grown from the grassroots, digital rights movements are still quite top-down. Digital rights defenders need to work to demonstrate the relevance of internet governance to grassroots movements.
7. Reflection to Gender Issues:
This session discussed environmental and digital rights, including specific discussion of discrimination and exclusion based on gender, race, and socio-economic context.
