46th HRC Session – Joint Statement on Climate Change and Human Rights

Joint Statement

General Debate: Item 3

Climate Change and Human Rights

(46^th Session of the Human Rights Council, 09 March 2021)​

Thank you, Madam President.

2. I am speaking on behalf of a group of States. The full statement along with the list of co-sponsors will be uploaded to the extranet.
3. Climate change has a range of direct and indirect implications for the effective enjoyment of human rights, disproportionately affecting the individuals in vulnerable situations, women, girls, older persons and persons with disabilities. Indeed, climate change has already had adverse effects on the full and effective enjoyment of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments. In this context, it is crucial for States to take action to address the adverse effects of climate change.
4. The COVID-19 pandemic has further negatively impacted the enjoyment of human rights, while openly exposing the harsh reality about the fragility of our social, economic, and environmental systems.
5. It is a wake-up call for us to understand the exigency for a meaningful global response to the bigger challenge of climate change. Just like the COVID-19 pandemic, the negative effects of climate change on the enjoyment of human rights could be addressed collectively and comprehensively.
6. The 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement provide us with forward-looking roadmaps for building resilience to climate change impacts for achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. We, therefore, urge all Member States to redouble their efforts to deliver on the collective commitments articulated in these instruments.
7. Effective global climate actions are imperative for promotion and protection of human rights of all. Every country should look at and address the root causes of climate change. The developing countries, especially those that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, including the Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States, need support on development of resilient infrastructures and other means to face the ever-increasing devastating effects of climate change. There must be enhanced international cooperation for providing financial, technological, and capacity-building support to the developing countries in their mitigation and adaptation efforts. Also, with a greater sense of urgency, we need to address the issue of loss and damage to respond to the concerns of all affected countries.
8. We call upon all special procedure mandate holders to mainstream the issue of the impacts of climate change on the enjoyment of human rights, with a special focus on, inter alia, women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities. It is also high time to consider creating a new Special Rapporteur on human rights and climate change in the Council to help promote climate actions.
9. I thank you.

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List of States who have supported the joint statement (last updated: 17.03.21): Philippines, Viet Nam, Bangladesh, Fiji, Malaysia, Eswatini, Bhutan, Ecuador, Albania, Nepal, Afghanistan, Marshall Islands, Vanuatu, Maldives, Niger, Palestine, Costa Rica, Mozambique, Panama, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Chile, Singapore, Haiti, Sudan, Tunisia, Barbados, Mauritania, Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, UAE, Yemen, El Salvador, Paraguay, Spain, Indonesia, France, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Bosnia, Slovenia

HRC Joint Statement on Climate Change and Human Rights