David R. Boyd

David R. Boyd is an Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC), holding dual appointments in the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability (IRES) and the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs. He previously served as the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment (2018–2024), leading global advocacy that culminated in the UN General Assembly recognizing the universal right to a healthy environment in 2022.

Boyd holds a PhD in Resource Management and Environmental Studies from UBC, a Juris Doctor from the University of Toronto, and a business degree from the University of Alberta. His research focuses on environmental law and policy, emphasizing legal frameworks for sustainability, environmental justice, and the rights of nature. He has authored seven books and over 100 articles, including landmark works like The Right to a Healthy Environment: Revitalizing Canada’s Constitution (2012) and The Environmental Rights Revolution (2012).

His scholarly work bridges human rights and ecological systems, with recent emphasis on air quality enforcement, corporate accountability for environmental harm, and gender equity in environmental protection. Boyd’s UN mandate produced 10 reports defining the scope of states’ obligations to safeguard clean air, water, and climate stability, influencing global policy debates.

Key contributions:

• Coordinated global advocacy for the UN’s 2022 recognition of the right to a healthy environment
• Developed legal analyses linking business practices to planetary boundaries
• Advocated for Indigenous rights and environmental justice in Canada and internationally

His research also addresses urban environmental issues, including green infrastructure and nature-based solutions for equitable city planning. Boyd’s interdisciplinary approach integrates legal, scientific, and policy perspectives to advance transformative sustainability governance.