Geoengineering and Human Rights

“Geoengineering” refers to a set of large-scale technological interventions in the Earth's natural systems to counteract some of the effects of climate change. All geoengineering technologies have the potential to undermine human rights and threaten procedural rights and the rights of Indigenous Peoples. A growing number of human rights experts have sounded the alarm, including the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee, the Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights, the Committee on the Rights of the Child, and the Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment. 

This side event organized by CIEL and co-sponsored by FIAN International and FES Geneva Office was looking at the human rights implications and risks of geoengineering interventions. Speakers discussed recent reports by human rights institutions, and more in general the role of human rights mechanisms in furthering the geoengineering discussion. 

Speakers: 

• Patrycja Sasnal, Human Rights Council Advisory Committee
• Marcos Orellana, Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights
• Margaretha Wewerinke, Blue Ocean Law and University of Amsterdam
• Kevin Surprise, Mount Holyoke College
• Ghazali Ohorella, Alifuru Council
• Francesca Mingrone, Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL)

Moderator: Ana María Suarez Franco, FIAN International

Relevant Info

• Report by the Human Right Council Advisory Committee on New Technologies intended for Climate Protection (A/HRC/54/47)
• Report by the  UN Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights on The toxic impacts of some proposed climate change solutions, which will be presented to the Human Rights Council on 19 September
• The Committee on the Rights of the Child: General Comment No. 26 (2023) on children’s rights and the environment with a special focus on climate change