What to expect from the Advisory Opinion process?

On January 9, 2023, Chile and Colombia signed a joint advisory opinion request to be presented before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR), aiming to clarify the scope of state obligations for responding to the climate emergency under the framework of international human rights law. The request acknowledged the human rights effects of the climate emergency, especially highlighting the vulnerability of communities and ecosystems. Colombia and Chile also emphasized the need for regional standards to accelerate action to confront climate change. The request identifies the IACtHR as the suitable body to determine guidelines for creating and implementing climate policies with a human rights approach.

Side Event Details:

Date:  Wednesday, April 24, 2024 – 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Place: Ralph Carnegie Lecture Theatre, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus.

On April 23, 24 and 25, the IACtHR will hold in Barbados the first part of the Public Hearing on the Request for Advisory Opinion OC-32 on “The Climate Emergency and Human Rights”. A diversity of organizations have presented their considerations and will attend this hearing to present their findings, and raise their voices on various aspects of the climate crisis.

The Court’s Public Hearing in Barbados is taking place as Small Island Developing Countries (SIDS) prepare for the 4th International Conference in Antigua and Barbuda (27-30 May) entitled «Charting the Course towards Resilient Prosperity”. SIDS Conferences take place every ten years. On this occasion, climate change and climate-related challenges will be a central aspect of the discussions.

The Office of the Special Rapporteur on Economic, Social, Cultural and Environmental Rights (REDESCA) of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has identified climate change as one of the most pressing challenges to tackle in its 2024-2026 work plan. As highlighted in Resolution 3/21, the climate emergency, exacerbated by human activities, threatens health, food security, access to water, housing, work and the right to a healthy environment, among other human rights, demanding immediate intervention.

Objectives:

• Promote the exchange of reflections on the opportunity that the Inter-American Court of Human Rights has to promote international standards that provide an effective response to the climate emergency and human rights.
• Reflect on four key aspects involved in the advisory opinion process before the Inter-American Court: i) the obligations of States in light of the climate emergency and human rights, ii) the energy transition and the challenges around the protection of human rights, iii) the urgent debates around climate loss, damage and reparations; and iv) future generations and vulnerable groups.
• Strengthen alliances and collaborations between REDESCA, civil society organizations and academia to fortify advocacy capacities in the advisory opinion process on climate emergency and human rights.

Introductory remarks by Roberta Clarke (President of the IACHR)/Javier Palummo, Special Rapporteur (REDESCA), Nicole Foster (The UWI) and Liliana Avila (AIDA)

1- First session: Obligations of States in the context of the climate emergency. What are the most important points that the Inter-American Court of Human Rights should consider in the AO process?

• Javier Palummo, Special Rapporteur, REDESCA, IACHR
• Ana Elisa Samayoa, DFLP
• Elisa Morgera, Director, One Ocean Hub
• Maria Alejandra Serra, Greenpeace International
• Rodrigo Sales, Open Society Justice Initiative
• Florencia Reggiardo, CEJIL

Moderates: Nikki Reisch, CIEL

2- Second session: Urgent debates for Latin America and the Caribbean around climate change and human rights

• Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster, Lecturer in Law & Head of the Caribbean Environmental Law Unit, Faculty of Law (Cave Hill Campus), The UWI
• Adrián Martínez, La Ruta del Clima
• Angélica Corredor, Comité Ambiental por la Defensa de la Vida Tolima
• Mariana Campos, WYCJ
• Laura Serna, Coalition ALAIRE

Moderation: Gisselle García Maning, AIDA

Simultaneous translation into Spanish/English will be available.

 Co-sponsoring organizations:

• The Office of the Special Rapporteur on Economic, Social, Cultural and Environmental Rights of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
• Asociación Interamericana para la Defensa de la Ambiente (AIDA)
• The Faculty of Law, Cave Hill Campus
• The One Ocean Hub

With the support of:

• Cooperación Española
• Heinrich Boll Foundation