Why a Human Rights Approach is Essential for Success in Fighting Climate Change
How can we persuade governments and companies to end the clear-cutting of rainforests, end new oil and gas projects, and rapidly phase out fossil fuels? How can we make sure companies involved in the transition to renewable energy, such as for EV batteries, do not replicate the appalling labor and environmental practices that have long characterized mining and other industries? How can we ensure justice for people and communities affected by climate change?
A key approach is to put the human rights of people and communities at the center of climate debates. The human rights methodology -- careful on-the-ground investigations, presenting findings directly to decision-makers in governments, the U.N., and companies, and high-impact media engagement – can prevent health harms, abuses against Indigenous Peoples, land confiscation, attacks on climate and environmental defenders, and other abuses. By putting a spotlight on the impact on humans, a focus on rights can play a key role in preventing new fossil fuel investments or the destruction of carbon sinks, while holding fossil fuel companies, banks, asset managers, and power and insurance companies accountable. Working with environmentalists, lawyers, journalists, youth climate activists, climate scientists, and the tech industry, a human rights approach can also complement the efforts of others to pressure wealthy countries to keep and increase their pledges for climate mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage funds.
Brad Adams, former Asia director at Human Rights Watch from 2002-2022 and founder of Climate Rights International, will discuss how CRI’s November 2023 report on deforestation in the avocado industry in Mexico (see the NYT story) has already led to an agreement between Mexico and the U.S. to end the sale of avocados from illegally deforested land – and how this can be a model for ensuring deforestation-free supply chains. Krista Shennum, author of CRI’s January 2024 report about deforestation, massive use of captive coal, and abuses in the nickel industry in Indonesia, will discuss how engaging with governments and auto companies such as Tesla, Ford and VW can limit emissions while ensuring that batteries for electric vehicles are not made through land grabbing, deforestation, air and water pollution, and intimidation of local activists. She will also discuss challenges in Indonesia’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). Brad and Krista will also discuss how to protect workers from extreme heat, the complicated issue of climate migration, and other issues of concern to attendees.
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