Environment @ 49th Session of the UN Human Rights Council

Special Rapporteur for Climate Change and Human Rights

At its last session in October 2021, the Human Rights Council adopted a resolution establishing the mandate of a Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change (resolution 48/14). Thanks to the efforts of the core group behind resolution 47/24, the possibility of creating a new special procedure addressing the adverse impact of climate change was placed on the agenda of the Council, and was adopted with 42 votes in favor, 1 against and 4 abstentions.

In its 49th Session, HRC has appointed Ian FRY (Tuvalu) as the first mandate holder for this newly established procedure. A total of 26 candidates have applied for the position (see the list here). In its report to the President, the Consultative Group the new SR, alongside Astrid PUENTES RIAÑO (Mexico) were acknowledged for their solid expertise on the issue of climate change and human rights, and their experience and knowledge of the UN system.

At #HRC49, the Human Rights Council appointed Ian Fry as Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of #ClimateChange

Climate Change and the Right to a Healthy Environment

Following the publication of the latest report from the IPCC Working Group II “Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability”, a side event to the 49th regular session of the Human Rights Council entitled “The IPCC 2022 Climate Change Report and its Relationship with the Effective Enjoyment of the Human Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment” was organized to highlight the relationship between the findings of the report and the effective enjoyment of the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.