COP30 and Human Rights: Call from Global South Catholic
What? Hybrid event organised in the margins of the 60th session of the Human Rights Council, in the framework of the Geneva Rights and Climate Talks.
Where ? Palais des Nations | Room H.307.1 & Online | Webex
Language: English, no interpretation available
Watch the recording:
About this Event:
Climate change poses a profound threat to human rights, disproportionately affects vulnerable populations—threatening their access to clean water, food, health, and shelter, and event their right to life and culture identity. Recognizing this, the UN Human Rights Council continues to address the adverse impacts of climate change for the enjoyment of human rights. At the current 60th session of the UN HRC, the UN Secretary General presents his synthesis report on “Just Transition and human rights” aimed to identify the opportunities, best practices, actionable solutions, challenges and barriers relevant to a just transition and the full realization of human rights for all people.
This report arrives at a pivotal moment, as the international community prepares for the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), set to take place in Belém, Brazil. Just transition is expected to be a central theme of the negotiations, reflecting growing global consensus on the need for climate action that is both ambitious and socially equitable.
A just transition seeks to ensure that the shift to a low-carbon economy protects workers, communities, and marginalized groups from economic and social displacement, while promoting sustainable livelihoods. COP30 offers a critical platform to elevate these interconnected concerns, especially as the Amazon region embodies both ecological fragility and socio-political complexity. By integrating human rights frameworks into climate negotiations and prioritizing just transition strategies, COP30 can catalyze global commitments that not only curb emissions but also uphold dignity, equity, and resilience for all.
In anticipation for COP30, Catholic Bishops from the Global South, representing SECAM (Africa), FABC (Asia), and CELAM (Latin America and the Caribbean), are calling for climate justice and ecological conversion ahead of COP30. They are urging for bold action, including phasing out fossil fuels, fulfilling the Paris Agreement, and addressing the “ecological debt” owed by wealthy nations. Their message, titled “A Call for Climate Justice and the Common Home,” emphasizes the need for a radical transformation of the global economic system to prioritize people and the planet.
Speakers:
- H.E. Archbishop Ettore BALESTRERO, Apostolic Nuncio, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the UN Office and other international organizations in Geneva
- Astrid PUENTES RIAÑO, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment
- Rodrigo PERET, Franciscans Friar, Pastoral Land Commission of Uberlândia | Franciscans International
- Elena CEDILLO, Programme Executive, Climate Justice, The Lutheran World Federation
Moderation: Bernd NILLES, President, CIDSE | Director, Swiss Catholic Lenten Fund |
Contact: Budi Tjahjono, International Advocacy Director, Franciscans International (b.tjahjono(at)franciscansinternational.org)