Climate Change: it is happening here, it is happening now

The Parallel Event held the 26 June 2019 during the 41st Regular Session of the Human Rights Council about the environmental, human, social and cultural impacts of climate change, focusing on the need to create synergy with all stakeholders in an integrated and coherent way, enabling countries to achieve their objectives under the Paris Agreement and Agenda 2030.

Moderator

    • Maria Mercedes Rossi (APG23) - Speech

Opening remarks: 

    • Ms Hilda Cathy Heine, President of Marshall Islands (t.b.c.)
    • His Excellency Mr. Evan P. Garcia, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Permanent Representative (t.b.c.) - Speech

Speakers     
    • Mr. Obiora Okafor, I.E. on Human Rights and International Solidarity on “Climate change and international solidarity” - Speech
    • Mr. Stephane Jaquemet, ICMC Director of Policy, on “Climate change related migration” - Speech
    • Mr. Guillermo Kerber, Theology Professor (Atelier Oecuménique de Théologie) and member of the Board, International Catholic Centre of Geneva on “Spiritual approach to Climate change”; - Speech
    • Mr. Stefano Saldi, Representative of the Permanent Mission of the Holy See on “Integral Ecology”;
    • Ms Angel NORAYMA, representative of IIMA from Venezuela on “Best practices in Amazzonia” - Speech

Climate change is undoubtedly one of the greatest global challenges threatening, with its devastating impact, the environment and the future perpetuation of humankind, exacerbating existing inequalities between countries and the vulnerabilities of communities and groups. For this reason, States and the international community as a whole are required to give an urgent and immediate response, reflecting the spirit of a new international solidarity.

Not all regions of the world are equally affected by extreme weather conditions. Coastal areas and some of the world’s poorest regions, including large parts of Central and Southwest Asia, the Horn of Africa, Central America or North Africa, are especially vulnerable. Notwithstanding, exposure to adverse climatic events is expected to increase worldwide in the future. 

Higher surface temperature, rising sea levels and disruptions in water cycles, are reshaping the map of liveable areas worldwide. There is a clear link between climate change-related effects, environmental disasters and the increasing phenomena of displacement and migration. However, difficulties persist in defining climate change-induced migrants and there are questions regarding the need of formally recognizing their legal status, in order to guarantee the respect and protection of their human rights.

In order to find and implement effective measures countering the effects of climate change, a multilateral approach is needed. 
As the Independent Expert on International Solidarity, Mr. Okafor stated, “collective problems (...) require collective solutions”. A new model of global partnerships and the widest international cooperation by all countries are essential to address properly this critical issue. Nevertheless, it is not enough.
It is necessary to carry out preventive solidarity. States should act according to both the “precautionary” principle and the notion of “intergenerational equity”. As Pope Francis affirmed in his Encyclical letter Laudato Si’, climate is a common good which extends to future generations. For this reason, “we can no longer speak of sustainable development apart from intergenerational solidarity”.

In line with the dispositions of the Agenda 2030 the collective struggle should be inspired by the will of anticipating, preventing and minimizing the causes of climate change, by promoting sustainable development, based on the respect of equity, social justice and human dignity. 
This parallel event has focussed on the environmental, human, social and cultural impacts of climate change, focusing on the need to create synergy with all stakeholders in an integrated and coherent way, enabling countries to achieve their objectives under the Paris Agreement and Agenda 2030.
In all this complex discourse, how can international solidarity help to overcome the current challenges? How the cry of the poor and the cry of the earth should be taken up from the member states and all the other stakeholders through a new spirit of international solidarity?
Accordingly, the speakers dealt with interrelated aspects, first of all with the precious insights of the Independent Expert on Human Rights and International Solidarity followed by other experts and civil society representatives who enlightened some aspects of this  complex issue.
Scope of the parallel event was also to share our spiritual approach on the topic, giving prominence to the concept of integral ecology, and focusing then on climate change-induced migration. Finally, the event aimed to present examples of existing best practices, sustainable measures and policies adopted in particular by civil society groups.

  

Co-organisers:

    • Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva;
    • Associazione Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII (APG23);
    • New Humanity;
    • Istituto Internazionale di Maria Ausiliatrice of the Salesians of Don Bosco (IIMA);
    • Vides International;
    • Teresian Association;
    • Company of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul;
     
Other Co-sponsors:

    • Permanent Mission of Australia to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva (t.b.c);
    • Permanent Mission of the Republic of Fiji to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva (t.b.c);
    • Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva (t.b.c);
    • Permanent Mission of Germany to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva (t.b.c);
    • Permanent Mission of Iceland to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva (t.b.c);
    • Permanent Mission of Maldives to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva (t.b.c);
    • Permanent Mission of Marshall Islands to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva (t.b.c);
    • Permanent Mission of Peru to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva (t.b.c)
    • + Other States co-sponsors of climate change resolutions A/HRC/RES/38/4 (t.b.c.)
    • Permanent Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva;
    • Permanent Mission of San Marino  to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva (t.b.c);
    • Catholic Inspired NGO (CINGO) forum in Geneva;
    • ICMC;
    • Association des Educatrices Compagnie de Marie Notre Dame;