On Wednesday, November 20, 2024, from 13:15 — 14:45 local time, join us for a critical side event at COP29 that focuses on the vital role of Environmental Human Rights Defenders (EHRDs) in advancing climate action and justice. As global leaders convene for COP29, EHRDs continue to be the frontline advocates for environmental preservation, despite facing unprecedented levels of violence, repression, and criminalization.
Since the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015, more than 1,390 EHRDs have lost their lives, many of them Indigenous defenders. Reports show that over a third of those murdered in 2022 belonged to Indigenous communities. These killings represent only a fraction of the challenges they face, which include harassment, restrictive laws, and stigmatization. It is within this context that this side event will explore strategies to strengthen the recognition, protection, and participation of EHRDs in global environmental decision-making, ensuring their rights are upheld in forums like COP.
Multilateral frameworks such as the Aarhus Convention, the Escazú Agreement, and the UN Human Rights Council have taken steps toward the protection of EHRDs. However, these efforts often remain fragmented and disconnected from national policy implementations. This event will highlight the need for stronger multilateral cooperation and a human rights-centered approach to environmental policy that unites efforts across regions and sectors.
Key Speakers Include:
- Minister of Indigenous Peoples, Brazil
- Minister of the Environment, Brazil
- Club de Madrid
- Environmental Defender, Colombia
- Defender from Asia, IPRI
- CEC/APNED
- Defender from Uganda/DRC
- Representative, Allied Data WG
- Victims of Critical Mineral Extraction (DRC)
Moderator:
- UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights
The energy transition is a central issue on the climate agenda. As we move toward decarbonizing energy systems, it is essential to respect the rights of those who may oppose certain measures, particularly when these measures threaten ecosystems and Indigenous lands. This session will explore ways to balance the urgent need for sustainable energy transitions with the non-negotiable protection of human rights, especially for defenders in regions affected by critical mineral extraction.
Co-Sponsors: EarthRights International, Natural Justice, Global Witness, cambiaMO, Center for Environmental Concerns, ALLIED Coalition, CIVICUS, and Club de Madrid.
This event is part of the broader conversations that will take place at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, where the global community will continue to build on the efforts from COP28 and explore new strategies for environmental justice. The fight for climate justice is inseparable from the safety and empowerment of those who protect the environment, and this event will push for their recognition as essential voices in achieving a sustainable future
