Submission in Support of Petitioners
Case No. CHR-NI-2016-0001
subsidiaries and affiliates; and, as far as reasonably practicable, the corporation’s
supply chain.”146
To conclude: most human rights agencies and other stakeholders agree that
businesses are human rights duty bearers, and that states have an obligation to
provide judicial and other redress mechanisms for persons whose human rights are
violated or infringed upon as a result of business activities. It is therefore
reasonable for the Commission to conclude that it may exercise jurisdiction over
the Carbon Majors listed in the Petitioner’s brief.
Conclusion
Human rights law requires states to ensure that non-state actors within their
jurisdiction do not violate human rights and to provide an adequate remedy for the
derogation of human rights by such actors. The Carbon Majors identified in the
Petitioners’ brief are responsible for a considerable share of the emissions that
contribute to global climate change – approximately 20% – and as such, they are
responsible for a considerable share of the damage that has already occurred and
will continue to occur as a result of climate change. As detailed in this submission,
climate change will have a profoundly negative impact on the full enjoyment of
fundamental human rights in the Philippines and other countries. The Commission
should therefore grant the remedy sought by petitioners: hold the Carbon Majors
accountable for their contribution to these impacts and request that other national
governments do the same.
146
Id. at 16.
Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, Columbia Law School
28
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