Supporting the creation of a special rapporteur on climate change and human rights

A few weeks ago, JAI discussed the release of the new IPCC report related to climate change—AR6. We talked about how our planet is really in a kind of intensive care. Only decisive, radical and global climate action can prevent further destabilization of the climate. We’ll be publishing a more comprehensive deep dive into AR6 soon.

We’re also working on a short paper describing how more frequent extreme weather events, changes in precipitation, and increased global temperatures—classic forms of climate impacts—will present grave infringements on human rights. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, made clear at the opening of the current Human Rights Council session that "[a]s these environmental threats intensify, they will constitute the single greatest challenge to human rights in our era."

But when will such dramatic words finally be followed by action? Since at least 2010, civil society organizations, echoed by member states of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), have called on the Human Rights Council to establish a mandate for a new UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Climate Change, to better protect the rights of those on the frontlines of climate impacts.

But there has been opposition to this mandate, including from emitter countries such as the U.S. or China. The result has been somewhat watered down resolutions that simply call for dialogue on the topic, without action. For example, the last resolution on climate change and human rights from the Human Rights Council merely “encourages the continued discussions among States and relevant stakeholders on the possible creation of a new special procedure addressing the adverse impact of climate change on the full and effective enjoyment of human rights” instead of creating this office holder.

The JAI team supports the initiative of a core group of countries, led by the Marshall Islands, to establish a new Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights. This will help to

✅ Identify the adverse impacts of climate change on peoples’ rights,

✅ Consult affected communities, and

✅ Contribute to strengthening an international equitable response to the climate crisis rooted in human rights.

JAI urges all governments to support this long overdue initiative and to stop blocking immediate action to stabilize the climate, particularly at the expense of countries and peoples that have contributed least to the rapid progress of climate change.