Today, 24 September, at under item 4 of the General Debate of the 48th session of the Human Rights Council, GI-ESCR jointly with the Centre for International Environmental Law (CIEL), Earthjustice, Franciscans International, Foundation for Gaia, Soka Gakkai International (SGI), and the International Federation for Human Rights Leagues (FIDH) delivered a statement calling for the establishment of a UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Climate Change.

The joint statement recognized that the Human Rights Council must play a key role in addressing the human rights dimension of climate change and listening to the demands of civil society and indigenous people’s advocating for the establishment of a new Special Procedure in this field.

The organizations co-sponsoring the statement considered that a dedicated mandate would provide better coherence in addressing the human rights implications of climate change, support states in developing ambitious, equitable, and right-centered climate policies, and facilitate the participation of groups and communities most affected.

The statement highlighted that the recent IPCC report, UNFCCC NDC Synthesis note, and OECD report on climate finance have depicted a gloomy picture of the state of climate action and cooperation, and have shown once again that increased ambition is urgently needed. Thus, the Council must act now to protect the rights of young people, children, and communities at risk across the world and establish a new UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and climate change without further delay.