UN Human Rights Council Unanimously Adopts Philippine-Led Resolution Urging Scaled Up Climate Action
Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and International Economic Relations Carlos D. Sorreta introduces the resolution on human rights and climate change tabled by the Philippines, together with Bangladesh and Vietnam, prior to its adoption by the Human Rights Council in its 53rd session, held on 12 July 2012 in Geneva, Switzerland. (Geneva PM photo).
GENEVA 17 July 2023 – The UN Human Rights Council (HRC) adopted by consensus on 12 July 2023 the Philippine-led resolution calling for the urgent operationalization of new funding arrangements, including a fund to assist developing countries in addressing climate change loss and damage, pursuant to the landmark decision adopted at the 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, held in Egypt in November 2022.
“No other global challenge adversely affects the enjoyment of human rights so profoundly and so disproportionately than climate change. This resolution, since its launch in 2008, has consistently aimed to shed light on the complex nexus between human rights and climate change in order to contribute to global discussions on the development of just, humane, and equitable climate solutions”, Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Carlos D. Sorreta stated prior to the adoption of the resolution.
Noting the most recent scientific consensus on climate change – of missed mitigation and adaptation targets and worsening impacts, the resolution calls for deep and rapid cuts in greenhouse gas emissions as well as scaled up adaptation measures to effectively address the adverse impacts of sudden and slow onset climate events, including on livelihood, that negatively affect the enjoyment of human rights of all especially in developing countries.
The resolution also highlights the need for all countries to adopt interventions that benefit the most vulnerable, facilitate safe and voluntary movement, minimize forced movement, and address human rights protection gaps in order to, inter alia, reduce the risk of trafficking and exploitation of people on the move, especially women and girls.
It further calls on States and businesses to uphold the corporate responsibility to respect human rights in the context of the environment and the climate system; recognizes the role of women and the importance of safe and meaningful civil society participation in policy and decision-making processes on climate change.
“The Philippines welcomes the Council’s unanimous adoption of this resolution that mandates the UN Secretary General to conduct a study on the human rights impacts of loss and damage exploring equity-based approaches to addressing the same. This is the first study on this important topic within the context of the HRC and we look forward to its presentation during the fifty-seventh session of the Council next year,” Undersecretary Sorreta added.
This resolution is tabled annually by the Philippines (this year’s penholder), Bangladesh, and Vietnam comprising the Core Group on human rights and climate change in the HRC.
The Philippines led the Core Group in conducting four informal consultations and pre-HRC session meetings with States and civil society in order to arrive at a balanced text that embodied the broadest possible consensus on difficult but crucial issues on the matter.
The resolution has gained the support of almost 80 countries from all regions, including the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
The Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations under the Department of Foreign Affairs worked with relevant Philippine government agencies in crafting the resolution, particularly the Climate Change Commission headed by Sec. Robert E.A. Borje who provided technical advice all throughout the negotiation process, as well as the Commission on Human Rights.
The Philippine Permanent Mission likewise consulted with Geneva-based Filipino expert on climate change, Mr. Vicente Yu, who worked with the G77 and China in previous COPs. END
First Secretary Luningning Camoying Valdez, Head of the Human Rights Section of the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the UN in Geneva, chairs four (4) informal consultations with UN member states and civil society organizations on the resolution on human rights and climate change. She is joined by First Secretary Goutam Kumar Dey of Bangladesh (left) and Second Secretary Pham Van Trung of Vietnam (right). (Geneva PM photo)
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