Summary

The Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change carried out a visit to Honduras from 18 to 27 September 2023, at the invitation of the Government. During the 10-day visit, the Special Rapporteur met with various government officials, United Nations entities, civil society organizations, Indigenous Peoples’ and Afro-descendants’ organizations and communities. He visited Tegucigalpa, Lajas Blancas (Nacaome), Cedeño, Reitoca, La Ceiba, Tocoa, Jilamito, El Progreso, La Lima, San Pedro Sula, Travesía and Bajamar. Honduras has suffered many severe impacts from climate change, and this has significant implications on the enjoyment of human rights in the country. The visit focused on the overall impacts of climate change, climate change displacement, loss and damage, environmental human rights defenders, the impacts of new mitigation technologies such as hydroelectric dams, and the environmental implications of mining. The Special Rapporteur, in his conclusions, welcomed the efforts made by the government but noted that not enough is being done to address the impacts of climate change. He further highlighted the lack of strategic investment in building climate change resilience and establishing long term climate change planning. He made numerous recommendations, including in relation to legislation and policies, mitigation measures such as hydroelectric dams, environmental human rights defenders, and climate change displacement.

The visit was undertaken by the former mandate holder, Ian Fry. As he resigned on 7 December 2023 with immediate effect, the report is submitted by the current mandate holder, Elisa Morgera.