This submission aims to demonstrate the important interlinkages between climate action and human rights, and especially how the first Global Stocktake (GST) has an important role in enhancing and strengthening the effective mainstreaming of human rights obligations into future climate action. This is essential since all Parties to the Paris Agreement have reaffirmed to respect, promote, and consider their international human rights obligations in the context of Climate Action.
The IPCC confirms in its Summary for Policymakers of the Synthesis Report of the 6th assessment cycle (AR6, SYR, SPM) that “adaptation and mitigation actions that prioritize equity, social justice, climate justice, rights-based approaches, and inclusivity, lead to more sustainable outcomes, reduce trade-os, support transformative change and advance climate-resilient development.” (C.2.5).
Key political messages for strengthening climate action and cooperation:
- Full and equitable phase-out of all fossil fuels in line with the objective ro keep warming below 1.5ºC
- Respect, protect, and fulfill human rights obligations, including the rights of Indigenous peoples, and adopt intersectional approaches in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
- Ensure meaningful and effective public participation of all groups of society
- Enhance the protection of environmental human rights defenders in the context of climate action.
This submission also proposes changes to the indicative draft structure GST1 decision discussed during the Bonn climate negotiations in June 2023 (SB58); as well as multiple entry points for integrating human rights and gender-transformative solutions into the proposed procedure
