Remedy for Climate-Induced Human Rights Harm | HRC57 Side Event

This side event to the 57th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC57), organized by the Center for International Environmental Law and the Geneva Climate Change Consultation Group (GeCCco), with the support of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, aims to advance discourse and action on the human rights to access justice and effective remedy in the context of climate-induced human rights violations, and the role of national, regional, and UN human rights institutions in advancing them.

About this Event

At a time when the climate crisis is causing widespread harm, including loss and damage, and new mechanisms are being developed to address this harm, human rights norms are of critical importance. A groundbreaking report by the UN Secretary-General at the request of the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/RES/53/6) confirms that under international human rights law, individuals, Peoples and communities harmed by the climate crisis are entitled to remedy and reparations. These and other authoritative reports and statements such as the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development’s latest report to the UN General Assembly, are of critical importance in the context of the ongoing advisory proceedings of the International Court of Justice, looking into the legal obligations of States in the context of climate change and related consequences of causing significant harm to the climate system.

The objective of this side event is to advance discourse and action on the human rights to access justice and effective remedy in the context of climate-induced human rights violations, and the role of national, regional, and UN human rights institutions in advancing them. The new reports of the UN Secretary-General and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development will be presented, alongside a forthcoming CIEL report on remedy and reparations for climate harm.

Speakers

H.E. Amb. Sumbue ANTAS

Permanent Representative of the Republic of Vanuatu to the UN Office and other international organizations in Geneva

Rae BAINTEITI

Banaban Human Rights Defenders Network

Rina KUUSIPALO

Human Rights Officer, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Surya DEVA

UN Special Rapporteur on the right to development

Lien VANDAMME

Senior Campaigner, Climate & Energy Program, Center for International Environmental Law

Vicente Paolo YU

Senior Legal Adviser, Third World Network

Environment @ HRC57

The 57th regular session of the Human Rights Council (HRC57) is taking place in Geneva and online from 9 September to 11 October 2024. With the environment high on the agenda, consult regular updates on key environmental issues at HRC57, side events, and further resources available on our dedicated HRC57 and the environment update.

Video

Live from Palais des Nations