Climate Emergency and Human Rights

On january 9, 2023, the Court was asked by the Republic of Chile and the Republic of Colombia to give an advisory opinion on Climate Emergency and Human Rights “to clarify the scope of State obligations, in their individual and collective dimension, in order to respond to the climate emergency within the framework of international human rights law, paying special attention to the differentiated impacts of this emergency on individuals from diverse regions and population groups, as well as on nature and on human survival on our planet”. 

Chile and Colombia took this initiative because multilateral efforts to curb the pace of climate change have proved to be slow and ineffective, and if emissions remain at the current level, there will be 83 million cumulative excess deaths by 2100 globally. In South America, government engagement, news coverage, corporate engagement, and scientific output related to the health dimensions of climate change is increasing, but still modest.

This Amicus Curiae is the fruit of a collaboration between experts in public health, medicine, and law – as well as youth climate activists – including the Global Climate & Health Alliance. 

The submission by GCHA has received inputs and has been additionally endorsed by its Latin American Health & Climate Network as well as other esteemed health and environmental law organizations from across the region. This collective effort is rooted in the belief that human health is intrinsically linked to the health of the planet, and that action to address climate change in an equitable manner must take into account and benefit from the integration of health considerations.

We eagerly await the Court’s advisory opinion and remain committed to contributing to the Court’s process through its different phases, as well as to the global dialogue on climate action and human rights.