employment and by undertaking educational and informational programmes to instil public awareness on the right to work.127 Possible Impacts of Climate Change on the Right to Work Climate change may affect the right to work in numerous ways, notably by provoking important economic transformations or by jeopardizing individuals’ access to safe working conditions. For example, with the expected bleaching of coral reefs due to increased temperatures and ocean acidification,128 and with changes to ecosystems and wildlife stocks, economies relying on tourism may face difficulties as tourism declines, resulting in the loss of employment. Rising temperatures may also affect areas relying on winter tourism.129 Changes in ocean acidity and temperature may impact fisheries, as fish stocks collapse or migrate. Other slow onset events such as increased temperatures, rainfall variability, and water salinization will effect the agricultural sector, impacting employment.130 Extreme weather events such as hurricanes and typhoons will also have important economic consequences that affect the right to work due to the destruction of infrastructure, the interruption of transportation, and the disruption of business activities. Some businesses might decide to leave vulnerable areas permanently, resulting in job losses or necessitating migration. With regard to safe working conditions, the IPCC warns that increased temperatures will lead to higher risks of injuries, infectious, respiratory and skin diseases, and exposure to wildfires for workers in certain sectors (including farming, construction, and logging).131 5.1.2 Understanding the Right to Work in the Context of Climate Change Mitigation Policies The right to work may be affected by governments’ mitigation measures in response to climate change. This may occur through States’ transition to a low carbon economy, as well as in relation to the implementation of mitigation measures, such as projects under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) or Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) in developing countries. For example, the implementation of REDD+ projects is likely to have an impact on the livelihoods of those living in affected areas, including those engaged in agriculture or forestry. As governments seek to mitigate climate change by moving away from economies that are heavily dependent on carbon-intensive industries, they will face new challenges and opportunities. Value and production chains will need to be adapted for low-carbon economies. For example, reductions in coal-fired power generation will lead to job losses in the mining industry as well as in rail freight and related industries,132 while the transition to collective transport will lead to a transformation of the automobile industry. On the other hand, increased demand for sustainable production will create green employment opportunities via production and value chains.133 Ultimately, it is the responsibility of States to ensure that innovation and development create new opportunities for investment and growth. 38

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