Integrating Human Rights in Climate Action

The document emphasizes that adopting a human rights approach to climate action is essential for protecting those on the frontlines of climate impacts, including indigenous peoples and local communities. It traces the progressive recognition of human rights within the UNFCCC, from the 2010 Cancun Agreements to the 2015 Paris Agreement, and highlights the role of updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in promoting public participation. For the SB50 negotiations, it specifically identifies the need for social and environmental safeguards in Article 6 mechanisms to avoid the rights infringements seen under the Clean Development Mechanism, and notes the importance of reviewing the Warsaw International Mechanism on Loss and Damage and the Gender Action Plan.

• Integrating human rights into climate action is necessary to ensure that the interests of frontline populations are respected and that policies do not harm local communities and indigenous peoples, which in turn leads to more resilient responses and increased public support.
• The UNFCCC has increasingly formalized the link between climate action and human rights, starting with the 2010 Cancun Agreements and continuing with the Paris Agreement, which explicitly lists obligations toward indigenous peoples, migrants, children, persons with disabilities, and the right to health and development.
• The update of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by 2020 provides a mechanism for countries to integrate human rights into their commitments, specifically regarding gender-responsive engagement with local communities and indigenous peoples.

APA

Center for International Environmental Law (2019). Integrating Human Rights in Climate Action. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/HRCCdinner_SB50_backgroundnote-1.pdf

Chicago

Center for International Environmental Law. Integrating Human Rights in Climate Action. 2019. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/HRCCdinner_SB50_backgroundnote-1.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Center for International Environmental Law |title=Integrating Human Rights in Climate Action |date=2019 |url=https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/HRCCdinner_SB50_backgroundnote-1.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centerforinternationalenvironmentallaw2019integrating, author = {{Center for International Environmental Law}}, title = {{Integrating Human Rights in Climate Action}}, institution = {Center for International Environmental Law}, year = {2019}, url = {https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/HRCCdinner_SB50_backgroundnote-1.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }