A recent proposal from the Marshall Islands and Colombia aimed at promoting a transition away from fossil fuels during discussions at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) was ultimately excluded from the climate change and human rights declaration released on Tuesday. During the meeting held in Geneva, the UNHRC, composed of 47 member nations, engaged in its annual discussions covering a range of critical human rights issues, including climate change.
The resolution adopted by the Council did address climate change, calling for significant and immediate global emissions reductions to alleviate the impacts of climate change. It also emphasized the need for countries to meet a climate finance goal of $300 billion annually by 2035. Despite this progress, the proposed amendment from the Marshall Islands and Colombia, which sought to emphasize transitioning from fossil fuels in an equitable manner, was withdrawn in favor of achieving consensus among the member states.
Doreen Debrum, the Marshall Islands ambassador to the UN, acknowledged the importance of collaborative dialogue, indicating her country’s willingness to retract the proposal for the sake of unity. She expressed a commitment to continuing the work on this crucial issue in future discussions with all UNHRC members.
Sébastien Duyck, a senior attorney with the Centre for International Environmental Law (CIEL), found the resolution’s omission of explicit fossil fuel transition language to be a missed opportunity, citing resistance from certain fossil fuel-producing countries. He emphasized the need for urgent action, stating that discussions surrounding the human rights implications of climate change cannot overlook the imperative of reducing fossil fuel reliance.
UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, Elisa Morgera, strengthened this argument, asserting that the conversation around human rights protections in the context of climate change must include decisive action towards phasing out fossil fuels. Her recent report outlined the necessity of decarbonizing economies to fulfill international human rights obligations, marking a fossil fuel phase-out as fundamental to sustaining both development and a healthy environment.
This moment at the UNHRC highlights a growing recognition among some countries of the urgent need to confront the global reliance on fossil fuels. Though the proposal did not advance, it signals an increasing awareness and pressure for policies that genuinely address the climate crisis and its human rights implications. As nations grapple with these issues, the continued dialogue may foster a more inclusive and proactive approach to achieving climate justice and sustainability.
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