DHC Statement at the High Level Side Event: Loss & Damage & the 2030 Agenda: “Building Strong Linkages”

16 November 2017 from 11.00 – 12.30 (Bonn)

Excellencies,

There can be no doubt that climate change is both a source and a multiplier of threats to sustainable development, its direct loss and damage already has inflicted harm on millions including specially, “pacifically” for the “big oceans developing” states, and that is a human rights issue.

Most disturbingly. it is those who have contributed the least to these threats that are living with the greatest damage, paying the highest costs, suffering the gravest loss.  Indeed, for people and communities on the frontline, it is survival itself that is at stake.

Excellencies,

Those who suffer climate change induced loss and damage, now and into the future, have an inalienable right of access to meaningful remedies for loss and damage.  And human rights norms require States to guarantee those remedies.

In our Talaona over the coming months, there will be, there must be a Kaila – a call out for responsive inclusive climate justice.  It’s just a matter justice.

It is just a matter of justice that States should willingly be accountable for their climate action - including for any failures to adequately regulate the emissions of businesses under their jurisdiction.  And, since climate change knows no borders, it is also just a matter of justice that a global response, underpinned by international solidarity between states, is just essential.

It is just a matter of justice and fairness that States should share and exchange resources, knowledge and technology for this cause; that to be effective climate assistance must be transparent, participatory, accountable and non-discriminatory, targeted toward persons, groups, and peoples most in need.

And, it is just a matter of justice and equity that climate action, including in response to loss and damage should directly benefit those who are least responsible for climate change yet more often harmed the most by its impacts.

Just climate actions thus will comply with the human rights imperatives that Member States themselves have set us through instruments such as the Paris Agreement, the Vienna Programme of action and under the SDGs.

OHCHR stands prepared to collaborate with the Warsaw International Mechanism on Loss and Damage under the UNFCCC to support just priorities that will protect people from the adverse effects of climate change and ensure their just access to just remedy.