Mandate holder that addresses the link between human rights and climate change is overdue
September 15, 2021
Geneva, CH — Following an announcement that a resolution to establish a Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Climate Change will come forward during the 48th Session of the Human Rights Council, Francesca Mingrone, Attorney at the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), issued the following statement:
“Every year, we see an increasing number of resolutions, annual discussions, analytical studies, and bodies of work come before the Human Rights Council that touch upon climate change. But as long as issues continue to come forward on an ad hoc basis, any response will be fractured and incommensurate with the scope of the crisis we face. The climate emergency is the single greatest threat to the realization of human rights in the 21st century — and the United Nations is long overdue for implementing a holistic approach that recognizes that the two issues are deeply entwined with one another.
“CIEL applauds the introduction of a resolution to create a Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Climate Change as a critical step in that process. Such a mandate holder will be appropriately positioned to address the needs of communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis, work with and support States, elevate the consideration of human rights in the implementation of the Paris Agreement, and promote human rights-based, equitable and inclusive climate action at the national level. As the Human Rights Council begins its session, rising levels threaten island nations while intensified natural disasters wipe away whole communities and famine is affecting millions. These compounding crises demand that intergovernmental bodies and States do everything they can to ensure they work smarter to address past, present, and future harms.
“We urge the Member States to rally between Pacific Islands States and the members of the Climate Vulnerable Forum in taking swift action and appoint a Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Climate Change in the weeks ahead.”
Media Contact
Cate Bonacini, CIEL Communiciations Manager, press(at)ciel.org, +1-202-742-5847
Posted on September 15, 2021