Joint Statement on Climate Change and Human Rights

On June 5, 2015, World Environment Day, John Knox, along with 26 other UN special rapporteurs and independent experts, joined in a statement released today drawing attention to the harm climate change poses to the enjoyment of human rights, and urging States to commit in the 2015 climate agreement to respect and protect human rights in their responses to climate change. The experts noted that "an average increase in global temperature of even 2.0° C will adversely affect a wide range of human rights" and will particularly threaten the rights of already marginalized groups. A human rights perspective on climate change, the experts said, clarifies what climate change threatens and ensures coherent reposes.  Read the full statement here.