Obligations

Ìý

Ìý

Ìý

Ìý

Ìý

Ìý

Ìý

Who Is Responsible?

The climate crisis is a global problem that requires global solutions. Understanding obligation—who should act and who is responsible—helps all levels of civil society understand their roles and responsibilities toward practicing climate solutions.

So who is responsible? We all are, but each level of civil society has unique responsibilities—from government to business to education to individual. When we understand our obligations, learn our roles and do our part, we can work against climate change together.

It’s a whole-of-society approach.

Right Holders

All people. Human rights belong to everyone and are equal, interrelated, interdependent and cannot be taken away. Some human rights are already being violated due to climate change, making the climate crisis an urgent matter that must be addressed collectively.

Duty Bearers

States are the primary duty bearers. States have obligations that require individual and collective action, including international cooperation. States should be held accountable for the negative effects of the actions—or lack of action—within their areas and should share responsibility for reducing the harmful effects of climate change.

Principles of Human Rights

  • Human rights are universal

  • Human rights are equalÌý

  • Human rights are indivisible

  • Human rights are interrelated

  • Human rights are interdependent

Obligations Educator’s Guide

Bring the conversation about climate obligations to the classroom. Free and available for all educators.

Ìý

“We are the first generation to feel the impact of climate change and the last generation that can do something about it.â€

—Barack Obama

Former president of the United States

Feature Stories

How courts can help protect human rights amid climate change

A growing number of legal cases around the world have proved successful in getting governments to commit to climate action, but in the U.S. barriers to this strategy remain. Read more

When it comes to addressing global climate impacts, who should pay?

In 2016, Tropical Storm Winston hit the Pacific island of Fiji as the strongest recorded storm ever to make landfall in the Southern Hemisphere. Read more

Global Obligations

United Nations Human Rights has outlined the essential obligations and responsibilities of duty bearers—states, businesses, education and individuals. Our efforts to develop climate solutions, mitigation and adaptation must be ambitious, nondiscriminatory and compliant with human rights obligations.

United Nations Human Rights logo

Human Rights and Climate Change Obligations

  • Mitigate climate change and prevent its harmful effects on human rights.
  • Ensure that all people have the necessary capacity to adapt to climate change.
  • Ensure accountability and effective remedies for the harmful effects on human rights caused by climate change.
  • Mobilize maximum available resources for sustainable, human rights-based development.
  • Cooperate with other states.
  • Ensure equity in climate action.
  • Guarantee that everyone enjoys the benefits of science and its applications.
  • Protect human rights from business harms.
  • Guarantee equality and nondiscrimination.
  • Ensure meaningful and informed participation.

Climate Activism

Climate activism is when people all over the world advocate for, and make changes toward, climate solutions. One form of activism comes through climate coalitions, where governments, businesses and civil society members come together to create positive climate action. The work from climate coalition initiatives has reduced emissions while tackling concerns such as equality, building sustainable infrastructure, and advancing adaptation and climate resilience.

Ìý

Ìý

Ìý

Ìý

Ìý

Ìý