Durham Law professor Elisa Morgera is advising governments on how human rights can be included in negotiations at the COP30 climate summit.
Elisa, who is the UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, is helping to co-ordinate the first ever Justice and Human Rights days at COP.
Having joined the Durham Centre for Sustainable Development Law and Policy, she also represents Durham University’s strategic research fund project on Just Transitions to a Net Zero World (JusTN0W).
The summit, being held in Belém, Brazil, is tasked with supporting the global response to the threat of climate change.
Elisa is advising governments, civil society (such as charities and unions), the UN and other international organisations on how to integrate human rights into the negotiations at COP.
Alongside the Justice and Human Rights days, she has co-developed a “Pledge” initiative to drive transformative human rights-based climate action by countries and other organisations, including universities.
Elisa has worked with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Brazilian Special Envoy on Just Transition and Human Rights
The initiative is a response to the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on State obligations on climate change.
Elisa has also contributed to the idea of a new European network for Environmental Human Rights Defenders.
This will be launched at COP30 by the Council of Europe and OHCHR.
She will consult with civil society on the topic of her next UN report on food systems, climate change and human rights.
Elisa has been invited to contribute to events organised by young people, civil society, academics, the World Health Organization, UN Climate Change Secretariat, and the UN Desertification Secretariat.
She will also take part in a high-level roundtable on the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion, organised by former President of Ireland Mary Robinson as Chair of The Elders.
Elisa’s role as the UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights runs until 2030.
She engages with the UN, countries, society and the private sector on the human rights impacts of climate change and ensuring that climate solutions contribute to the protection of human rights.
Professor Elisa Morgera is Professor of International Law and Sustainability in Durham Law School and a UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights.
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Durham Centre for Sustainable Development Law and Policy and Just Transitions to a Net Zero World (JusTN0W).
More about the Justice and Human Rights Days at COP30 and the “Pledge” initiative.
Elisa’s next UN report on food systems, climate change and human rights is open for input.
Video by kind permission of BBC News.
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