The R2HE Tool supports National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in bridging the legal, policy, and practice gaps that exist between human rights and environmental systems. As human rights and the environment are deeply interlinked, the Tool helps NHRIs and other actors assess national conditions of the R2HE using the adaptable "TREE" structure, allowing them to evaluate the relevant Themes, Rules, Enforcement and oversight, and actual Environmental harms. It underscores that international and legal recognition alone is not sufficient - a structured approach that integrates international standards with national contextualization processes is critical to translating legal commitments into on-the-ground realities.

By offering practical and context-sensitive guidance on monitoring both the substantive and procedural elements of the right, the Tool enables NHRIs to identify specific environmental harms and evaluate the effectiveness of local mechanisms. In doing so, it has a catalytic impact on core NHRI mandates, empowering NHRIs to use collected data to handle complaints, launch investigations, protect Environmental Human Rights Defenders, and ensure access to justice, redress, and accountability for communities most disproportionately impacted by environmental violations.