Les effets des changements climatiques sur les droits des personnes en situation de vulnérabilité
Le HCDH et les changements climatiques
Climate change has a negative impact on the enjoyment of human rights. Persons in vulnerable situations – owing to factors including geography, poverty, gender, age, indigenous or minority status, national or social origin, birth or other status and disability – may experience heightened exposure and vulnerability to climate-induced human rights harms.
People living in small island developing States and least developed countries, and in conditions of water scarcity, desertification, land degradation and drought are amongst those most affected by climate-related harms. Rising sea levels, tropical and extratropical cyclones, increasing air and sea surface temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and loss of adaptive capacity and ecosystem services have implications for the right to self-determination, cultural rights, the right to health and the right to life among other human rights. These impacts also severely affect peoples’ livelihoods and may act as a driver of migration.
The meaningful inclusion and participation of persons in vulnerable situations within disaster risk management and climate-related decision-making at the local, national, regional and global levels, lies at the heart of a human rights-based approach to climate action.
Secretary-General’s report on the rights of people in vulnerable situations in the context of climate change
Human Rights Council resolution 47/24 (A/HRC/RES/47/24) requested the Secretary-General to consult Member States and other relevant stakeholders in order to prepare and submit to the fiftieth session of the Human Rights Council a report on the adverse impact of climate change on the full and effective enjoyment of human rights of people in vulnerable situations.
To inform the study and panel discussion, OHCHR transmitted a Note Verbale and Questionnaire [English] [French] to Member States, NGOs, UN Agencies, IGOs, Academic Institutions and NHRIs, inviting them to respond to the questionnaire and provide input. The inputs received are available below.
Easy-to-read version in English
Human Rights Council panel discussion on the impacts of climate change on the human rights of people in vulnerable situations
Human Rights Council resolution 47/24 (A/HRC/RES/47/24) decided to incorporate into its programme of work for the 50th session a panel discussion focusing on the adverse impact of climate change on the full and effective enjoyment of human rights by people in vulnerable situations. The panel concept note is available below.
- HRC 52nd 2023 - Summary of the panel discussion on the impacts of climate change on the human rights of people in vulnerable situations (A/HRC/52/48)
Easy to Read version in English | Plain English version - Concept note for the panel discussion on the human rights of people in vulnerable situations in the context of climate change
- Opening statement by Ms. Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
- Video of the panel discussion
Statements by panelists
- Mr. Ian Fry, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change
- Ms. Nisreen Elsaim, Chair of the Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change and Chair of Sudan Youth Organization on Climate Change
- Ms. Sara Oliveros López, Secretary of the Council, ICCA Consortium
- Mr. Carroll Muffett, President and CEO of the Center for International Environmental Law
States
- Andorra
- Argentina 1-2
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Chile
- Greece
- Guatemala / Annex
- Honduras
- Iraq 1-2
- Latvia
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Philippines
- Qatar
National Human Rights Institutions
- Argentina: Defensoría Del Pueblo De La Nación
- Croatia: Ombudswoman of the Republic of Croatia / Special Report
- Denmark: Danish Institute for Human Rights
- Greece: Greek National Commission for Human Rights
- Mexico: Comisión Nacional de los Derechos Humanos de México
- Portugal: Ombudsman of Portugal / Annex I / Annex II / Annex III / Annex IV
- Slovakia: Slovak National Centre for Human Rights
United Nations
Civil Society Organizations
- Al-Haq
- ALTSEAN
- Arc-DH
- Archana Soreng – YOUNGO
- Australian Lawyers for Human Rights
- Castan Centre for Human Rights Law
- COTFONE – Uganda
- Cultural Survival
- EarthRights International
- Edmund Rice International
- Elizka relief foundation
- Franciscans International
- Friendship NGO
- Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights et al
- Human Rights Commission of Mexico City
- Indigenous Peoples’ Organization Australia 1-2
- Innovea Development Foundation
- Institut de Drets Humans de Catalunya
- International Campaign for Tibet
- International Council of Archives
- International-Lawyers.Org
- International Planned Parenthood Federation
- National Birth Equity Collaborative
- Notre Affaire à Tous
- Peace Brigades International
- Penal Reform International
- Save the Children Norway
- Trees and Reefs Foundation