A/74/161 II. Effects of climate change on the enjoyment of human rights 26. Climate change is having a major impact on a wide range of human rights today, and could have a cataclysmic impact in the future unless ambitious actions are undertaken immediately. Among the human rights being threatened and violated are the rights to life, health, food, water and sanitation, a healthy environment, an adequate standard of living, housing, property, self -determination, development and culture. Addressing climate change raises issues of justice and equity, both between and within nations and generations. The main contributors to the problem have reaped immense economic benefits and thus have the greatest responsibility to solve the problem, pursuant to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. The adverse impacts of climate change disproportionately affect peop le living in poverty, whose contribution to the problem is minimal and who lack the resources to protect themselves or to adapt to the changes. The Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights recently warned about a future of climate apartheid, where the wealthy pay to shield themselves from the worst impacts of climate change while the poor suffer immensely. 30 27. Approaching climate change from a human rights perspective highlights the principles of universality and non-discrimination, emphasizing that rights are guaranteed for all persons, including vulnerable groups. A rights -based approach could serve as a catalyst for accelerated action to achieve a healthy and sustainable future where all energy is provided by zero carbon sources, forests are flourishing, oceans are healthy and food is sustainably produced. A. Right to life 28. The right to life is universally recognized in human rights law. In 2018, the Human Rights Committee stated that “environmental degradation, climate change and unsustainable development constitute some of the most pressing and serious threats to the ability of present and future generations to enjoy the right to life.” 31 In order to uphold the right to life, States have an obligation to take effective measures to mitigate climate change, enhance the adaptive capacity of vulnerable populations and prevent foreseeable loss of life. 29. Climate change has many direct and indirect effects on the full enjoyment of the right to life. Climate-related deaths are caused by extreme weather events, heat waves, floods, droughts, wildfires, water-borne and vector-borne diseases, malnutrition and air pollution. Globally, at least 150,000 premature deaths annually have been linked to climate change. 32 The heat wave that struck western Europe in 2003 caused approximately 70,000 premature deaths. Mortality data are not yet available for the record-breaking heat waves experienced in India, Pakistan, Europe and Alaska in 2019. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that by 2030, some 250,000 climate-related deaths each year will be caused by heat stress, malaria, diarrhoea and malnutrition alone. 33 The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights concluded that, “at its most extreme, climate change kills”. 34 B. Right to health 30. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights includes health as part of the right to an adequate standard of living. The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights enshrines the right to health and requires that Stat e actions to fulfil that right “shall include those necessary for ... the improvement of all aspects of environmental and industrial hygiene.” 31. The adverse health impacts of climate change include not only premature deaths but also increased incidences of respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, malnutrition, stunting, wasting, allergies, heat stroke, injuries, water-borne and __________________ 30 31 32 33 34 10/22 A/HRC/41/39. General comment No. 36 (2018) on article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, on the right to life. DARA and the Climate Vulnerable Forum, Climate Vulnerability Monitor 2 nd Edition: A Guide to the Cold Calculus of a Hot Planet (DARA, 2012). WHO, Quantitative risk assessment of the effects of climate change on selected causes of death, 2030s and 2050s (WHO, 2014). A/HRC/32/23. 19-11977