​The impact of climate change on the rights of the child

Overview

Climate change has been demonstrated to have both a direct and indirect impact on a wide range of human rights, including the rights of the child. States should "respect, promote and consider their respective human rights obligations, [including]... the rights of children" in climate action, as called for by the Paris Agreement.

Activities, events and reports

As part of OHCHR's work on climate change and the rights of the child, the following activities have been conducted. Read about them in more detail below.

Analytical study on the relationship between climate change and the rights of the child

Human Rights Council resolution 32/33 called upon OHCHR to prepare, in consultation with Member States and other relevant stakeholders, an analytical study on the relationship between climate change and the full and effective enjoyment of the rights of the child. This was submitted to the 35th session of the Council.

• Analytical study on the relationship between climate change and the full and effective enjoyment of the rights of the child
• One-page summary of the Analytical study on the relationship between climate change and the full and effective enjoyment of the rights of the child.

The original inputs to the study are available below.

Technical briefing: Climate change and the rights of the child

On 8 May 2017, the Moroccan Presidency to the 22d Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change hosted a special Presidency Event on Climate Change and the Rights of the Child.

The presidency's technical briefing was the first formal UNFCCC event to address human rights. It provided a key opportunity for experts to share guidance and recommendations, both from the Committee on the Rights of the Child and from the analytical study prepared by OHCHR on climate change and child rights.

The briefing was moderated by H.E. Ambassador Aziz Mekouar, Morocco. It was closed by the President of COP22, H.E. Mr. Salaheddine Mezouar of Morocco, and H.E. Ambassador Nazhat Khan, Chief Negotiator for the incoming COP23 presidency of Fiji. The following panellists participated:

• Ms. Joanna Sustento, Young Typhoon Haiyan survivor (Philippines)
• Ms. Mikiko Otani, Member of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
• Ms. Marilena Viviani, Director, UNICEF Geneva Liaison Office, Division of Public Partnerships
• Mr. Benjamin Schachter, Focal Point, Climate Change and the Environment, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

Human Rights Council panel discussion on climate change and the rights of the child

Pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 32/33, OHCHR was asked to prepare a panel discussion on the impacts of climate change on the enjoyment of the rights of the child during the 34th session of the Council. The panel discussion was moderated by H.E. Ms. Maria Teresa T. Almojuela, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva.

• Video of the panel discussion
• Concept note
• Speaker bios
• Opening Statement by Ms. Peggy Hicks, Director of the Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures and Right to Development Division, OHCHR
• Summary of the panel discussion on the adverse impact of climate change on States' efforts to realize the rights of the child and related policies, lessons learned and good practices (A/HRC/35/14)

Statements by panellists

• H.E. Mr. Ha Kim Ngoc, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam
• H.E. Mr. M. Shameem Ahsan, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva
• Ms. Marilena Viviani, Director, UNICEF Geneva Liaison Office, Division of Public Partnerships, United Nations Children's Fund
• Ms. Kirsten Sandberg, Member, Committee on the Rights of the Child
• Ms. Kehkashan Basu, Founder, Green Hope Foundation

Inputs received for the analytical study on the impacts of climate change on the rights of the child

A note verbale (in English and French) welcoming inputs from Member States was issued in September 2016. Additional communications were sent to civil society organizations, NHRIs, UN organizations and other relevant stakeholders requesting their input. An informal summary of the inputs received is available here. 

States

• Georgia
• Germany
• Hungary
• Italy
• Kyrgyzstan
• Word | PDF
• Lithuania
• Montenegro
• Namibia
• Philippines
• Serbia
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Switzerland
• Tunisia
• United Republic of Tanzania

Non-member observer states

• Palestine

National human rights institutions

• Azerbaijan - the Ombudsman
• Chile- National Human Rights Institute
• India- National Human Rights Commission
• Nicaragua- Procuraduría para la Defensa de los Derechos Humanos

United Nations

• UNICEF

Non-governmental organizations

• American Psychological Association
• Child Rights International Network
• Human Rights Watch
• Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd
• Plan International
• Soroptimist International of the South West Pacific
• Yamasee Moors

Academic institutions

• The Dignity Rights Project, Widener University Delaware Law School