The Inter-American Court of Human Rights has issued a historic Advisory Opinion that confirms the climate crisis is a human rights emergency. The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) applauds this landmark decision, which establishes binding obligations on states and corporations to address the climate crisis.
The court clarified that human rights law creates binding obligations to prevent, reduce, and remedy the harms of the climate crisis, affirming the rights of present and future generations, nature itself, and those who defend the planet. The opinion also recognized the rights to a safe climate and a healthy environment as protected by the Inter-American Human Rights system.
Key points from the decision include:
* States have an affirmative duty to protect environmental defenders.
* The court affirmed the prohibition against causing irreversible environmental damage.
* There is a vital role for Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendant communities, and youth in addressing the climate emergency.
CIEL experts welcomed the decision, stating that it sets a powerful precedent for climate justice. They emphasized that the Court’s conclusions should put big polluters on notice: climate-destructive conduct violates the law.
The Advisory Opinion will guide climate litigation at local, regional, and national courts, providing a foundation for climate policymaking and grounding local legislation in legal obligation.
Source: https://www.ciel.org/news/inter-american-court-declares-climate-crisis-a-human-rights-emergency-in-historic-ruling