Astrid Puentes and Elisa Morgera have been Appointed as UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to a Healthy Environment and on Human Rights and Climate Change, respectively.
April 5, 2024
Geneva, CH — Today, during its 55th session, the United Nations Human Rights Council appointed Astrid Puentes for the position of UN Special Rapporteur on the right to clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, and Elisa Morgera for the position of UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change.
The two mandate-holders have the complementary expertise, the opportunity, and the imperative to promote ambitious, equitable, rights-based environmental and climate action.
Following the announcement, Francesca Mingrone, Staff Attorney at the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), issued the following statement:
“For the first time ever, two women — of whom one from the Global South — are appointed for the environment and climate mandates. We welcome the appointment of Astrid Puentes and Elisa Morgera. They bring decades of expertise in applying a human rights-based approach to environmental and climate action. Their strong academic expertise and insights into the heightened risks faced by the most marginalized communities in the context of environmental degradation and climate change, combined with their longstanding engagement with civil society, international organizations, and States, position them well to leverage the human rights regime in support of those needing urgent action and justice.
“Both mandates are essential to ensure that the international community understands and responds adequately to the triple interconnected environmental crises of pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change. We are confident that Ms. Morgera will be able to address the urgent and numerous challenges that the climate crisis poses. Similarly, we trust that Ms. Puentes will work towards effective implementation of the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment and tackle other pressing environmental crises.
“The two mandates, together with the Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights, provide a crucial opportunity to protect and uplift the human rights of communities and Indigenous Peoples at the frontlines of the triple planetary crisis in a holistic, human rights-based, and just manner. We look forward to engaging with Ms. Puentes and Ms. Morgera to support the demands of those who are suffering the most and yet are least responsible for this crisis.”
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Media Contact:
Rossella Recupero, press@ciel.org