Submission to the OHCHR Annual Report on Human Rights and Climate Change

GI-ESCR, in partnership with ProDESC, Geres, SOGESCA and Focus Association for Sustainable Development submitted a written contribution to the research and report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 47/24 entitled “Human Rights and Climate Change”. This year's report will specifically focus on the adverse impact of climate change on the full and effective enjoyment of human rights of people in vulnerable situations. The report will be presented at the 50th session of the Human Rights Council.

In the submission, GI-ESCR highlights the adverse impact of the climate crisis on women living in poverty, specifically energy poverty. Whilst definitions of energy poverty vary, it can be described as the lack of the essential energy services to ensure decent living conditions.

Women are often disproportionately impacted by both, the adverse impacts of the climate crisis as well as by the mitigation and adaptation measures articulated to address the climate breakdown that do not take into consideration their rights, specific needs and concerns. This includes large scale energy projects, such the Unión Hidalgo case, but also women's absence from important decision-making spaces at all levels.

The submission also highlights the EmpowerMed Project as well as Kenya's Gender Policy on Energy as good practices.