Submission in Support of Petitioners
Case No. CHR-NI-2016-0001
Statement of Purpose
The Sabin Center makes this submission in support of the petition submitted
by Greenpeace Southeast Asia and Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement
requesting an investigation into the responsibility of the “Carbon Majors” for
human rights violations or threats of violations resulting from the impacts of
climate change. The purpose of this submission is to provide the Commission on
Human Rights with additional information on how the impacts of climate change
interfere with the enjoyment of human rights, and why non-state actors may be
held accountable for this interference under international human rights law.
Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................ 3
Impacts of Climate Change ........................................................................................ 4
1. Temperature Increase.......................................................................................4
2. Precipitation and Water Resources ..................................................................6
3. Sea level rise ....................................................................................................7
4. Tropical Storms ...............................................................................................8
5. Impaired Ecosystems .......................................................................................9
6. Effects on Buildings, Infrastructure, and Services ........................................10
7. Expanding Disease Vectors ...........................................................................11
Implications for Human Rights ................................................................................ 11
1. Right to Life ...................................................................................................13
2. Right to Health ...............................................................................................16
3. Right to Clean Water and Sanitation .............................................................17
4. Right to Food .................................................................................................18
5. Right to Adequate Housing ...........................................................................20
6. Right to Self-Determination and Development .............................................22
7. Right to Equality and Non-Discrimination....................................................23
International Law Sources of the Commission’s Jurisdiction and Respondents’
Obligations ............................................................................................................... 25
Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 28
Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, Columbia Law School
2