Calls for inputs from the Special Rapporteur on Climate change

Elisa Morgera, the UN Special Rapporteur on on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change, has issued 2 calls for inputs that can be related to Peasants’ Rights: Fossil Fuel-based Economy and human rights and Human Rights in the life cycle of Renewable Energy and Critical Minerals.

All the special procedures of the UN Human Rights Council can published calls for inputs. These calls are addressed to any interested parties to the subject. Civil society organizations and human rights defenders are strongly encouraged to participate. The current Special Rapporteur on climate change has shown a lot of interest in UNDROP and peasants’ rights, she has, among other things, replied to the call for inputs of the Working Group on UNDROP. The calls contain a series of questions, however participants do not have to answer all of them and are free in the form of their response.

Fossil Fuel-based Economy and human rights

Deadline: 28 February 2025

Background – In her upcoming report to the Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur seeks to synthesise and analyse a varied body of evidence (from across the natural and social sciences, including Indigenous science and other knowledge systems) of the human rights impacts of the fossil fuel-based economy on the basis of a life-cycle approach, and expected impacts of the phase out of fossil fuels and related subsidies. On that basis, the report will seek to clarify States’ international human rights obligations, individually and as part of international cooperation, as well as business responsibility, to ensure a just transition away from fossil fuels and the phase out of fossil fuel subsidies, in order to protect and respect human rights in the context of climate change.

Objectives – The call for inputs aims at advancing understanding on how to respect, protect and fulfil all human rights, as well as prevent harm and ensure non-discrimination, in the context of a just transition away from fossil fuels and the phase out of fossil fuel subsidies.

The Special Rapporteur would like to invite States, interested individuals, organizations and businesses, working on issues related to human rights and climate change to provide input for the preparation of her thematic report. Inputs can be both country-specific or of a general nature.

The Special Rapporteur has prepared a series of questions to guide the inputs, you can find them here.

Human Rights in the life cycle of Renewable Energy and Critical Minerals

Deadline: 30 April 2025

Background – In her upcoming report to the UN General Assembly, the Special Rapporteur seeks to synthesise and analyse a varied body of evidence (from across the natural and social sciences, including Indigenous science and other knowledge systems) of the positive and negative human rights impacts of different sources, scales and stages to renewable energy development, throughout their full life cycle, including the extraction and re-use of critical minerals. On that basis, the report will seek to clarify States’ international human rights obligations, individually and as part of international cooperation, as well as business responsibility, to support a just transition while enhancing the protection of everyone’s human right to a healthy environment and the prevention of foreseeable negative human rights impacts of certain climate mitigation approaches.

Objectives – The call for inputs aims at advancing understanding of the documented positive and negative impacts on human rights of different sources, scales and stages of renewable energy development as part of a just transition, including in relation to critical minerals, throughout their life cycle.

The Special Rapporteur would like to invite States, interested individuals, organizations and businesses, working on issues related to human rights and climate change to provide input for the preparation of her thematic report. Inputs can be both country-specific or of a general nature.

The Special Rapporteur has prepared a series of questions to guide the inputs, you can find them here.