Convention on Climate Change
" Climate change and Human Rights "
Declaration from the international NGOs,
Members of the Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe (382 NGOs),
to the Warsaw Climate Change Conference
11-22 November 2013
(Adopted by the Standing Committee on 5 November 2013)
Alarmed by reports of scientists gathered in the IPCC under the aegis of the UN and noting that human action is increasingly obvious in climatic disturbances ;
Considering the Principle 1 of the Stockholm Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, 1972), recognizes "the fundamental right to freedom, equality and adequate conditions of life, in an environment of a quality that permits a life of dignity and well-being", and Principle 1 of the Rio Declaration (1992) on Environment and Development which states that "Human beings are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature".
Considering that the Declaration "The Future We Want" adopted at the Summit of the United Nations Rio +20 (2012) reaffirms the importance of respect for all human rights ( § 8 and 9 ), acknowledge that "democracy, good governance and the rule of law, at the national and international levels, as well as an enabling environment are essential for sustainable development " (§10), and reaffirms that "climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time " (§ 190);
Referring to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)
Whereas the the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change adopted at the Rio Summit (1992) provides that
"the Parties should protect the climate system for the benefit of present and future generations of humankind, on the basis of equity and in accordance with their common butdifferentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities".
Recalling that the Millennium Development Goals underline that those concerning health and environmental protection can be achieved by ensuring respect for human rights ;
Considering the European Convention on Human Rights (1950)
Having regard to the Recommendation Rec (2002) 1 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on "the Guiding principles for sustainable spatial development of the European Continent", to implement a new integrated territorial development policy that promotes social cohesion, economic and territorial preservation of the natural bases of life and cultural heritage, a better quality of life and more balanced competitiveness of the territory;
Recalling Recommendation 1885 (2009) of the Parliamentary Assembly on the Elaboration of a Protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights concerning the right to a healthy environment ;
Recognizing that public access to information and justice as well as citizens participation in decision making, recognized in Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development as a basic human right, have been formally established in the Aarhus Convention (1998) on access to information, public participation in decision making and access to justice in environmental matters;
Considering that the current round of international negotiations should lead to a new treaty in Paris in 2015;
We, international NGOs, members of the Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe,
assert of the utmost importance to put climate change at the top of the priorities for action to ensure the future of humanity ;
are convinced that urgent and necessary solutions can only be found by involving civil society at all levels of commitment and decision-making ;
call for international negotiations beyond the strict framework of reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, integrating the protection of human rights, and taking into account the involvement of all phenomena related to climate change on the enjoyment of those rights
call for the respect to the right to life, dignity and mobility to include the establishment of international rules and urge States and regional institutions such as the EU, to take immediate consideration of :
request the Heads of States and Governments to integrate the human rights into the treaty to be adopted in Paris in 2015 and to officially recognize the right to a healthy environment as a fundamental human right.
Members of the Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe (382 NGOs),
to the Warsaw Climate Change Conference
11-22 November 2013
(Adopted by the Standing Committee on 5 November 2013)
Alarmed by reports of scientists gathered in the IPCC under the aegis of the UN and noting that human action is increasingly obvious in climatic disturbances ;
Considering the Principle 1 of the Stockholm Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, 1972), recognizes "the fundamental right to freedom, equality and adequate conditions of life, in an environment of a quality that permits a life of dignity and well-being", and Principle 1 of the Rio Declaration (1992) on Environment and Development which states that "Human beings are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature".
Considering that the Declaration "The Future We Want" adopted at the Summit of the United Nations Rio +20 (2012) reaffirms the importance of respect for all human rights ( § 8 and 9 ), acknowledge that "democracy, good governance and the rule of law, at the national and international levels, as well as an enabling environment are essential for sustainable development " (§10), and reaffirms that "climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time " (§ 190);
Referring to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)
Whereas the the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change adopted at the Rio Summit (1992) provides that
"the Parties should protect the climate system for the benefit of present and future generations of humankind, on the basis of equity and in accordance with their common butdifferentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities".
Recalling that the Millennium Development Goals underline that those concerning health and environmental protection can be achieved by ensuring respect for human rights ;
Considering the European Convention on Human Rights (1950)
Having regard to the Recommendation Rec (2002) 1 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on "the Guiding principles for sustainable spatial development of the European Continent", to implement a new integrated territorial development policy that promotes social cohesion, economic and territorial preservation of the natural bases of life and cultural heritage, a better quality of life and more balanced competitiveness of the territory;
Recalling Recommendation 1885 (2009) of the Parliamentary Assembly on the Elaboration of a Protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights concerning the right to a healthy environment ;
Recognizing that public access to information and justice as well as citizens participation in decision making, recognized in Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development as a basic human right, have been formally established in the Aarhus Convention (1998) on access to information, public participation in decision making and access to justice in environmental matters;
Considering that the current round of international negotiations should lead to a new treaty in Paris in 2015;
We, international NGOs, members of the Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe,
assert of the utmost importance to put climate change at the top of the priorities for action to ensure the future of humanity ;
are convinced that urgent and necessary solutions can only be found by involving civil society at all levels of commitment and decision-making ;
call for international negotiations beyond the strict framework of reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, integrating the protection of human rights, and taking into account the involvement of all phenomena related to climate change on the enjoyment of those rights
call for the respect to the right to life, dignity and mobility to include the establishment of international rules and urge States and regional institutions such as the EU, to take immediate consideration of :
- the threat on habitat, water and food supply of extreme weather events
- regular assessment of natural and industrial risks exacerbated by climate change
- the prevention of political and social conflicts related to resource sharing
- hosting populations forced away from their place of residence by rising waters, the scarcity of vital goods and esources or deprivation of essential services
- assistance to the populations deprived of their land and property
request the Heads of States and Governments to integrate the human rights into the treaty to be adopted in Paris in 2015 and to officially recognize the right to a healthy environment as a fundamental human right.