1. Climate justice and human rights
How did we get here
and where are we going?
Climate justice and human rights
in Scotland
Emma Hutton
Communications & Outreach Manager
@scothumanrights

2. “Climate justice links human rights and development to achieve a human-centred approach, safeguarding the rights of the most vulnerable and sharing the burdens and benefits of climate change and its resolution equitably and fairly.”
The Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice

3. “Climate change is the defining human development challenge of the 21st Century. Failure to respond to that challenge will stall and then reverse international efforts to reduce poverty. The poorest countries and most vulnerable citizens will suffer the earliest and most damaging setbacks, even though they have contributed least to the problem.”
United Nations Development Programme

4. Human rights impacts Some examples… Right to life
Right to adequate food
Right to highest attainable standard of health
Right to adequate housing
Right to safe drinking water & sanitation
Most acute consequences felt by disadvantaged people & communities
Even adaptation & mitigation can exacerbate inequity and discrimination

5. How did we get here?
Climate change = key concern for SHRC stakeholders
November 2009
International Conference (Glasgow)
Joint communique
2010 – 2011
First Minister interest visit to China
2012
Scottish Parliament Motion (cross-party support)
£3M Climate Justice Fund
2013
International Conference (Edinburgh)
£3M Climate Justice Fund (2)
Scotland’s National Action Plan for Human Rights

6. “The Scottish Parliament strongly endorses the opportunity for Scotland to champion climate justice, which places human rights at the heart of global development, ensuring a fair distribution of responsibilities, and welcomes the Scottish Government’s commitment to ensuring respect for human rights and action to eradicate poverty and inequality, which are at the heart of Scotland’s action to combat climate change both at home and internationally.”
Motion passed by Scottish Parliament, March 2012

7. “The Scottish Government will coordinate action across the public, private and third sectors to champion climate justice at home and abroad.”
Scotland’s National Action Plan for Human Rights

8. Where are we going?
Raising awareness of human rights based approach (HRBA)
Conceptual framework
Rights holders and duty bearers
Putting people at the centre of discussions
Working Group on Climate Change and Human Rights
Chaired by Scotland
Part of Commonwealth Forum of National Human Rights Institutions
Scotland’s National Action Plan
Human Rights Action Groups
Better World Action Group co-convened by Scottish Government, SHRC & Amnesty International UK

9. www.scottishhumanrights.com @scothumanrights
@scothumanrights