The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University has presented the 2025 Elisabeth Haub Award for Environmental Law and Diplomacy to Professor John H. Knox and Dr. David R. Boyd. The award recognizes their leadership as United Nations Special Rapporteurs on the human right to a healthy environment. The ceremony took place on October 23, 2025, at Pace University in New York City, attended by environmental and human rights advocates both in person and online.
“John Knox and David Boyd are visionary leaders who laid the legal and moral groundwork for one of the most consequential developments in international environmental law: global recognition of the human right to a healthy environment,” said Horace E. Anderson, Jr., Dean of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University and President of the Haub Award Jury. “Their work represents more than the contributions of two individuals; it symbolizes what can be achieved through sustained advocacy, diplomacy, and global cooperation.”
Pace University President Marvin Krislov commented on their impact: “Through their work as United Nations Special Rapporteurs, they have made that right clearer, stronger, and harder to ignore. We are honored to celebrate leaders whose efforts have advanced environmental protection through law and diplomacy on the world stage.”
The event included introductions by Professors Katrina Fischer Kuh and Camila Bustos from Pace’s Environmental Law program. Liliane Haub, a trustee of Pace University and member of the Haub Award Jury, presented the award alongside other members of the Haub family. “Through their leadership and collaboration, Professor Knox and Dr. Boyd have helped turn a powerful idea into a recognized international right: clean air, safe water, and a healthy planet for all,” said Ms. Haub.
Professor John H. Knox is the Henry C. Lauerman Professor of International Law at Wake Forest University. He served as the UN’s first Independent Expert (2012–2018) before becoming its first Special Rapporteur on this issue. His tenure resulted in developing Framework Principles clarifying states’ obligations under existing human rights law concerning environmental protection.
Dr. David R. Boyd is a professor at the University of British Columbia who served as Special Rapporteur from 2018 to 2024. He built coalitions among governments, UN agencies, civil society organizations, filed amicus briefs in key cases, and authored over 30 UN reports showing how recognizing this right has contributed to cleaner air and water standards, stronger laws protecting biodiversity, and climate action initiatives.
Knox’s and Boyd’s efforts were instrumental in catalyzing resolutions by both the UN Human Rights Council (2021) and General Assembly (2022), which affirmed recognition of this right globally—a movement further supported by an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice this year confirming its status under international law.
A panel discussion titled “Advancing the Right to a Healthy Environment” was held during the event with participation from Ambassador Maritza Chan Valverde (Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations), moderated by Professor Smita Narula from Pace Haub Law’s Global Center for Environmental Legal Studies.
Panelists discussed how legal recognition must translate into practical action that protects vulnerable communities from environmental harm while improving quality standards worldwide for air, water, and land resources.
Dr. Boyd explained that recognizing this right “moves environmental protection from something governments might consider to something they are obligated to deliver,” emphasizing its role as both legal requirement and moral imperative.
They also highlighted that realizing these goals depends on collaboration among governments, civil society groups, international institutions—and reflects progress not only in law but also justice.
Ambassador Chan Valverde concluded by encouraging students: “Never underestimate the power of collaboration and conviction… Every generation has the chance to make international law stronger, fairer, and more reflective of our shared humanity—and that work begins with you.”
