Day 1: Impacts

The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Rights

The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Rights
Friday, December 2, 2022

The first day of the global climate summit framed climate change within the context of human rights: how all people, especially people and populations in vulnerable situations, are experiencing the most extreme effects of climate change, resulting in loss of land, livelihood and universal human rights.

Learn about the summit’s Watch Globally, Engage Locally Panel Series—six national and community-focused sessions.

Sheila Watt-Cloutier

Keynote Speaker

As a global advocate for Indigenous rights and health, Watt-Cloutier shared her insight and experience as an Indigenous leader and the impact of climate change on human rights.

Recap of Sheila Watt-Cloutier's speech

Panels

Understanding Climate Change as a Matter of Human Rights

This panel explored, from a broad set of cultural and geographic perspectives, the effects of climate change on widely recognized human rights, including the rights to life, health, culture, self-determination, development, food, water and sanitation, housing, and a healthy environment. It also discussed the features of a human rights-based approach to climate action, which starts with understanding these impacts, identifying corresponding obligations and responsibilities, and developing equitable and inclusive solutions.

Moderator

Justin Worland

United States
Senior Correspondent •

Recap of Day 1: Impacts

Panelists

Edna Kaptoyo

Kenya
Environmental Governance
Human Rights

Dan Magraw

United States
Law & Policy

Astrid Puentes Riaño

Colombia
Law & Policy
Human Rights
Climate Change & Environment

Kera Sherwood-O’Regan

New Zealand (Māori)
Climate Change & Environment
Human Rights

Victoria Tauli-Corpuz

Philippines
Human Rights

The Experiences of Those Whose Human Rights Are Disproportionately Impacted by Climate Change

Climate change is often driven by the actions of people and policies of countries that are economically and politically advantaged. However, climate change disproportionately impacts the human rights of economically disadvantaged people, Indigenous peoples, migrants, women, children, older people, people with disabilities and those living in island nations, the Arctic and other geographically high-risk areas. This panel explored the specific human rights impacts of climate change from the perspective of such groups of people.