The international community must recognize that inclusive human rights based principles is a key element towards achieving an effective solution on climate change, says Tuvalu Prime Minister Enele Sopoaga.
Sopoaga says critically important aspects of addressing climate change have been pushed out, eroded or “drowned out” by the agenda of developed countries and he is committed to ensuring that they are given attention ahead of, and during the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 21) meeting in Paris later this month.
“Human rights have been largely ignored in the climate change discourse but it has to be an integral part of, and be in the centre of discussions,” says Sopoaga.
Tuvalu wants the strengthened inclusion of human rights in international convention and treaties - particularly the connection between human rights and climate change.
“Human rights conventions and principles will be meaningless if humans rights is not addressed. At Cop 21 bigger countries must live up to their human rights obligations and include human rights in the negotiations and agreements – as this will be a good first step for bigger countries in regulating their carbon emissions,” Sopoaga said.
“An inclusive human rights based dimension will support more effective climate change frameworks and polices,” he says. “This will ensure the voices of the most vulnerable groups - small island states, women, children and people living with disabilities are included in the implementation of climate change adaptation initiatives.”
Sopoaga said climate change threatened the very core principles at the heart of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – including the right to life, liberty and security.
“Vulnerable groups have the basic right to food, shelter and water and this is being compromised in the face of rising sea level, pollution of water supplies and severe damage to food crops by weather changes - the respect for fundamental human rights cannot be over overemphasized,” Sopoaga said.
“Human rights is essential to developing practical climate change solutions. The human rights approach will give voice to vulnerable groups in the development of meaningful and effective adaptation measures such as community based resource management plans,” he said.
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