Abstract
This paper examined environmental protection and the concept of common concern of humankind. The environment encompasses all living and non-living, their relationships, and how man is affected by these relationships. The paper explored the concept of human rights to a healthy environment and its recognition in the international community. It critically accessed that human rights should not be relied upon as the main method for achieving environmental protection because these procedures are limited and orientated around human concerns. It also examined the potential of Common Concern as an emerging principle of international law, particularly international environmental law, in addressing collective action problems and the global commons. It expounds on the contours of the principle, its relationship to the common heritage of humankind, shared and differentiated responsibility, and public goods. The doctrinal research method was adopted with primary and secondary sources used to conclude that humanity is all united for the common good of the environment. The paper made some recommendations for the protection of the environment that align with the concept of common concern.
Keywords: Common Concern, Humankind and Environmental