A/74/161 57. Beginning in 2008, the Human Rights Council adopted a series of resolutions expressing concern that climate change poses an immediate and far-reaching threat to people and communities around the world, and that the effects will be felt most acutely by those who already live in vulnerable situations. 62 The resolutions resulted in a series of reports on climate change and human rights prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, addressing general linkages, 63 health, 64 children’s rights, 65 migration 66 and gender. 67 58. The Special Rapporteur on the right to food, 68 the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing, 69 the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, 70 the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, 71 the Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, 72 the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, 73 the Special Rapporteur on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment 74 and the Independent Expert on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment 75 have all warned that climate change threatens the full enjoyment of human rights and that climate actions must be developed and implemented in accordance with human rights laws and norms. 59. The special procedures mandate holders have also issued joint statements and reports on climate change and human rights. 76 In 2014, 27 special rapporteurs and independent experts issued a joint letter concluding that “there can no longer be any doubt that climate change interferes with the enjoyment of human rights recognised and protected by international law.” 77 That same year, on Human Rights Day, all special procedures mandate holders issued a statement in which they noted that “Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our generation with consequences that transform life on earth and adversely impact the livelihood of many people. It poses great risks and threats to the environment, human health, accessibility and inclusion, access to water, sanitation and food, security, and economic and social development. These impacts of climate change interfere with the effective enjoyment of human rights. In particular, climate change has a disproportiona te effect on many disadvantaged, marginalized, excluded and vulnerable individuals and groups, including those whose ways of life are inextricably linked to the environment.” 78 60. The United Nations Environment Assembly adopted a resolution in 201 9 in which it noted that women “are often disproportionately affected by the impact of climate change”, but recognized “the active and meaningful role of women as key agents of change in developing innovative solutions to climate change”. 79 61. The treaty bodies, created to monitor the implementation of the key United Nations human rights treaties, have made valuable recommendations that emphasize the relevance of human rights obligations to climate change. The number of references to climate change in the concluding observations of treaty bodies increased from just 1 in 2008 to more than 30 in 2018. 80 The Committee on the Elimination of __________________ 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 19-11977 Human Rights Council resolutions 7/23, 10/4, 18/22, 26/27, 29/15, 32/33, 35/20 and 38/4. A/HRC/10/61. A/HRC/32/23. A/HRC/35/13. A/HRC/38/21. A/HRC/41/26. A/70/287. A/64/255. A/67/299. A/HRC/36/46. A/HRC/41/39. A/HRC/16/43 and A/66/285. A/HRC/31/52. A/HRC/25/53. Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, The Effects of Climate Change on the Full Enjoyment of Human Rights (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, 2015). Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, “A new climate change agreement must include human rights protections for all”, 17 October 2014. Available at www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/SP/SP_To_UNFCCC.pdf. Statement of the special procedures mandate holders on the o ccasion of Human Rights Day. Available at www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID= 15393&LangID=E. UNEP/EA.4/Res.17. Center for International Environmental Law and Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, States’ Human Rights Obligations in the Context of Climate Change: 2019 15/22