53rd Session ofthe Human Rights Council Annual Panel Discussion on the adverse impacts of climate change on human rights: The adverse impact of climate change on the full realization ofthe rightto food

A statement by the Center for International Environmental Law to the 53rd Session of the Human Rights Council regarding the intersection of climate change, industrial food production, and the right to food.

• Industrial food production is heavily linked to the fossil fuel industry, with agriculture accounting for approximately one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions. This is driven largely by agrochemicals (synthetic fertilizers and pesticides), whose production and use release significant emissions and may hinder the soil's capacity to sequester carbon. The International Energy Agency identifies fertilizers as the primary near-term growth sector for the non-energy use of fossil gas.
• The reliance of the food sector on fossil-fuel-based agrochemicals creates a vulnerability where shocks in fossil fuel prices lead to higher agrochemical costs and increased food prices. Market shocks in 2022 demonstrated this, as supply shortages and high prices led farmers to reduce fertilizer use, which lowered production and increased global food insecurity and farmer debt. In some cases, government subsidies for fertilizers resulted in significant national debts during these price spikes.
• To address the climate crisis and improve food security, the document argues that States must quickly stop relying on fossil fuels and move toward regenerative and resilient agricultural models to protect human rights and enhance energy and food sovereignty.

APA

Center for International Environmental Law (2023). 53rd Session ofthe Human Rights Council Annual Panel Discussion on the adverse impacts of climate change on human rights: The adverse impact of climate change on the full realization ofthe rightto food. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/July-2023_CIEL_HRC53-Panel-discussion-on-right-to-food-and-climate-change-.pdf

Chicago

Center for International Environmental Law. 53rd Session ofthe Human Rights Council Annual Panel Discussion on the adverse impacts of climate change on human rights: The adverse impact of climate change on the full realization ofthe rightto food. 2023. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/July-2023_CIEL_HRC53-Panel-discussion-on-right-to-food-and-climate-change-.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Center for International Environmental Law |title=53rd Session ofthe Human Rights Council Annual Panel Discussion on the adverse impacts of climate change on human rights: The adverse impact of climate change on the full realization ofthe rightto food |date=3 July 2023 |url=https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/July-2023_CIEL_HRC53-Panel-discussion-on-right-to-food-and-climate-change-.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{centerforinternationalenvironmentallaw202353rd, author = {{Center for International Environmental Law}}, title = {{53rd Session ofthe Human Rights Council Annual Panel Discussion on the adverse impacts of climate change on human rights: The adverse impact of climate change on the full realization ofthe rightto food}}, publisher = {Center for International Environmental Law}, year = {2023}, month = jul, url = {https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/July-2023_CIEL_HRC53-Panel-discussion-on-right-to-food-and-climate-change-.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }