CLIMATE CHANGE AND HUMAN RIGHTS
CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.....................................................................................................................................................III
FOREWORDS...................................................................................................................................................................... VI
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY................................................................................................................................................... VIII
INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................................................................................1
PART 1: THE HUMAN RIGHTS IMPLICATIONS OF CLIMATE CHANGE...............................................................................2
1.1 Effects of Climate Change on Human Rights..................................................................................................................2
(a) Impacts on Ecosystems and Natural Resources.......................................................................................................3
(i)
Freshwater Resources.....................................................................................................................................3
(ii) Terrestrial Ecosystems.....................................................................................................................................4
(iii) Coastal Systems and Low-lying Areas.............................................................................................................4
(iv) Ocean Systems ..............................................................................................................................................4
(v) Food Security and Production Systems ..........................................................................................................5
(b)
Impacts on Physical Infrastructure and Human Settlements....................................................................................5
(i)
Urban Areas...................................................................................................................................................5
(ii) Rural Areas....................................................................................................................................................5
(iii) Key Economic Sectors and Services................................................................................................................6
(c)
Impacts on Livelihoods, Health, and Security..........................................................................................................7
(i)
Livelihoods and Poverty..................................................................................................................................7
(ii) Human Health...............................................................................................................................................8
(iii) Human Security.............................................................................................................................................8
1.2 Effects of Mitigation and Adaptation on Human Rights..................................................................................................8
(a) Mitigation.............................................................................................................................................................8
(b) Adaptation..........................................................................................................................................................10
(c) Geoengineering...................................................................................................................................................10
PART 2: THE OBLIGATIONS OF GOVERNMENTS AND PRIVATE ACTORS TO RESPOND TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS
IMPLICATIONS OF CLIMATE CHANGE...............................................................................................................11
2.1 The Progressive Recognition of Human Rights Obligations Relating to the Environment and Climate Change...............12
(a) Recognition of Human Rights Obligations Relating to the Environment................................................................12
(b)
Recognition of Human Rights Obligations Relating to Climate Change................................................................12
2.2 Governmental Obligations to Address the Human Rights Implications of Climate Change............................................15
(a) Procedural Obligations.........................................................................................................................................16
(i)
Ensuring Access to Information and Conducting Environmental Assessments...............................................16
(ii) Public Participation in Environmental Decision-making.................................................................................17
(iii) Access to Administrative, Judicial, and Other Remedies................................................................................18
(b)
Substantive Obligations.......................................................................................................................................19
(i)
Adaptation Obligations: Protecting Human Rights From Climate Related Harms...........................................20
(ii) Domestic Mitigation Obligations..................................................................................................................22
(iii) International Cooperation Obligations.........................................................................................................24
(iv) Obligations to Address Transboundary Harm................................................................................................25
(v) Safeguarding Human Rights in Mitigation and Adaptation Activities............................................................26
iv