OHCHR and climate change

Issues in focus

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OHCHR and climate change

Issues in focus

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.

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:

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.

Statements by panellists

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

Non-member observer states

National human rights institutions

United Nations

Non-governmental organizations

Academic institutions

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