UN Rights Chief Calls Human Rights Key Lever for Climate Progress

UN Rights Chief Calls Human Rights Key Lever for Climate Progress
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The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has urged the global community to urgently address the human rights impacts of climate change, UN website reported. Speaking at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Türk emphasized that current efforts fall short in protecting people from escalating climate risks.

“Are we doing enough to safeguard people’s futures and manage natural resources with respect to human rights and the environment?” he questioned. His answer was clear: no.

Türk highlighted that climate change poses severe threats to human rights, especially for vulnerable populations, but also presents an opportunity for a “just transition” to sustainable and equitable societies. He called for a roadmap to rethink economies and politics accordingly.

Moustapha Kamal Gueye of the International Labor Organization warned that 80 million full-time jobs could disappear by 2030 due to climate change, with over 70% of workers exposed to extreme heat. He stressed the urgent need to expand social protection systems, noting less than 9% of workers in the most climate-affected countries currently have such safeguards.

UN Special Rapporteur Elisa Morgera urged “defossilization” of economies and knowledge, pointing out fossil fuels’ deep entrenchment in daily life and the distortion of public understanding by fossil fuel interests.

Türk concluded that a just transition must leave no one behind, ensuring protection of lives, jobs, and future opportunities to avoid worsening inequalities.