Call for Inputs: Climate Change and Human Rights: A Safe Climate

There is now global agreement that human rights norms apply to the full spectrum of environmental issues, including climate change. The previous Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment, Mr. John Knox, developed Framework Principles on Human Rights and the Environment that set forth three sets of duties that engage both States and businesses: procedural obligations; substantive obligations; and obligations relating to those in vulnerable situations.

The current Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment, Mr. David Boyd, is working to provide additional clarity regarding the substantive obligations relating to a range of elements that are essential to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment. His first report to the Human Rights Council addressed air pollution and associated obligations. He is now preparing a thematic report focusing on human rights obligations related to global climate change. For that purpose, he is seeking inputs on the topic from States and stakeholders through responses to the brief questionnaire below.

Your replies will inform the Special Rapporteur’s analysis and contribute to his report, which will be presented to the General Assembly in October 2019.

Questionnaire submission by:

Sara L Seck, Associate Professor, Marine & Environmental Law Institute, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia Canada [email protected]

And

Lisa Benjamin, post-doctoral fellow, Marine & Environmental Law Institute, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia Canada [email protected]