Debate: The effects of climate change on human rights and the role of environmental defenders on this matter
Date: TUESDAY, 18 MAY 2021
Speaker: Olivér Várhelyi
Language: EN

Environment, climate change and human rights are closely interrelated. The effects of environmental and climate degradation have a direct impact on the exercise of human rights, right to life, right to health, right to safe drinking water and sanitation, right to food. The new action plan on human rights and democracy 2020-2024 sets this as a clear priority for the EU’s action in the coming years. High Representative Josep Borrell during his mission to the Sahel in April witnessed how farmers suffer the consequences of desertification, water scarcity, crop and livestock losses. These conditions amplify inequality and increase displacements, fuelling instability and violence. This year we have the opportunity to firmly enshrine human rights principles in global action to reverse biodiversity loss. The EU Biodiversity Strategy underlines the importance of a human rights-based approach to ensure social justice, fairness and inclusiveness. The strategy indicates that the post-2020 Global Biodiversity framework under discussion should respect the rights and the full and effective participation of indigenous people and local communities. The report calls for the EU to address water scarcity as a priority. The EU acts to provide universal access to safe drinking water and sanitation. We have invested more than EUR 2.5 billion on water and sanitation in 62 countries, but much remains to be done: 2.1 billion people still lack access to safe drinking water. Two years ago, the Council adopted EU human rights guidelines on safe drinking water and sanitation with the aim of providing the policy tools to EU and Member States’ diplomats around the world to step up efforts. The emergency to act increases every day, and so does the need to protect those who stand up for our public good. Environmental human rights defenders are on the front line to protect their rights and the rights of their communities affected by environmental degradation and climate change. The EU provides protection to environmental human rights defenders and indigenous peoples who are facing unprecedented levels of threats and attacks. The situation – particularly worrying in Latin America and Asia – is unacceptable. In 2020, at least 331 human rights defenders have been killed. 69% of them were working on land, indigenous and environmental rights. Since its launch in 2015, ProtectDefenders.eu has supported almost 12 000 land and environmental rights and indigenous rights defenders, 6 370 of them women, representing the main group supported by the EU-funded mechanism. Through the mechanism, environmental human rights defenders and their family members can be urgently reallocated when necessary and have their legal costs for justice and protection covered. Let me underline again that the Commission fully shares the concerns and priorities outlined in the report. Today’s debate is of crucial importance, and you can count on the European External Action Service, with its network of delegations and with the Commission, to actively pursue a fairer and safer environment where the human rights of all are promoted, protected and fulfilled.