CHR-NI-2016-0001 Statement of Resource Person, Katherine Lofts In the Philippines, many poor people in urban areas lack access to infrastructure and basic services, and many live in settlements located in low-lying coastal areas.60 These communities are particularly vulnerable to climate impacts such as flash flooding, landslides, sea level rise, and storm surges, which jeopardize their enjoyment of the right to housing.61 (vi) Right to work62 and social security63 Climate change may affect the right to work in a number of ways, including by provoking significant economic transformations. For example, with the expected bleaching of coral reefs due to increased temperatures and ocean acidification, 64 and with changes to ecosystems and wildlife stocks, the tourism industry in certain locations may decline, resulting in the loss of employment. Similarly, changes in ocean acidity and temperature may impact fisheries and the livelihoods of fisherfolk, as fish stocks collapse or migrate.65 Other slow onset events such as increased temperatures, rainfall variability, and water salinization will also affect the agricultural sector, impacting livelihoods.66 Indeed, in the context of the Philippines, UNICEF has noted that “[s]ubsistence livelihoods in rain-fed agriculture are especially threatened by climate change and environmental degradation.”67 Extreme weather events leading to the destruction of infrastructure, displacement, and damage to crop yields will also have important economic consequences and may directly affect the right to work.68 In addition, UNEP has observed that climaterelated hazards “will also have indirect effects on livelihoods by exacerbating other stressors”, noting that climate change may contribute to “(i) increases in the prices of food, energy, and other critical commodities; (ii) political instability and largescale conflict; and (iii) individual and household-level disturbances.”69 Climate change impacts may decrease access to safe working conditions.70 For example, more intense heat waves can result in the greater risk of injury, disease and death amongst workers.71 Malnutrition due to decreased food security and the increased risk of food-, water-, and vector-borne diseases may also impact individuals’ ability to work.72 The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Katherine Lofts & Alex Kenny, Mainstreaming Climate Resilience into Government: The Philippines’ Climate Change Act (CDKN 2012) at 1. 61 See: UNICEF Philippines, supra note 4 at 21. 62 ICESCR, supra note 16 at Arts 6-8; ICCPR, supra note 29 at Art 8(3)(a); CERD, supra note 29 at Art 5(e)(i); CEDAW, supra note 29 at Art 11(1)(a); CRC, supra note 29 at Art 32; International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, 18 December 1990, 2220 UNTS 3 at Arts 11, 25, 26, 40, 52 and 54. 63 ICESCR, supra note 16 at Art 9; CERD, supra note 29 at Art 5(e)(iv); CEDAW, supra note 29 at Art 11 and 14; CRC, supra note 29 at Art 26. 64 IPCC, supra note 32 at 17. 65 Ibid. 66 International Labour Organization, Employment Working Paper No. 104: Towards an ILO Approach to Climate Change Adaptation (Geneva: ILO, 2011) at 18. 67 UNICEF Philippines, supra note 4 at 20. 68 UNEP, supra note 13 at 7. 69 Ibid. 70 See: A/HRC/31/52, supra note 6 at para 24. 71 UNEP, supra note 13 at 8. 72 Ibid. 60 9