A/HRC/RES/57/31
towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development; and that the
Agreement will be implemented to reflect equity and the principle of common but
differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different national
circumstances,
Recalling also article 5 of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, which
states that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated, that the
international community must treat human rights globally in a fair and equal manner, on the
same footing and with the same emphasis, and that, while the significance of national and
regional particularities and various historical, cultural and religious backgrounds must be
borne in mind, it is the duty of States, regardless of their political, economic and cultural
systems, to promote and protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Recognizing that measures to anticipate, prevent or minimize the causes of climate
change, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and to mitigate and adapt to its adverse
impact, and the protection of the environment, contribute to human well-being and to the
better enjoyment of human rights, as well as to sustainable development,
Welcoming the decision adopted at the twenty-eighth session of the Conference of the
Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the fifth
Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement on the
operationalization of the new funding arrangements, including a fund that was established in
Sharm El Sheikh at the twenty-seventh session of the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention and the fourth Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to
the Paris Agreement, for responding to loss and damage to assist developing countries that
are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change in responding to economic
and non-economic loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change,
including extreme weather events and slow-onset events, by providing and assisting in
mobilizing new and additional resources, and that these new arrangements complement and
include sources, funds, processes and initiatives both under and outside the Convention and
the Paris Agreement,
Recognizing that, while the human rights implications of the adverse impact of climate
change affect individuals and communities around the world, especially in developing
countries, in particular small island developing States, least developed countries and
landlocked developing States, the consequences most acutely affect women, children,
persons with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples, local communities, peasants and other people
working in rural areas, people living in conditions of water scarcity, drought and
desertification, persons belonging to minority groups, homeless persons, persons living in
poverty, older persons, migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons, those living in
conflict areas and those already in vulnerable situations, and the importance of recognizing
their agency in contributing to climate action,
Recalling Human Rights Council resolutions 5/1 of 18 June 2007, on institutionbuilding of the Council, and 5/2, on the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures MandateHolders of the Human Rights Council, and stressing that the mandate holder shall discharge
his or her duties in accordance with those resolutions and the annexes thereto,
Reaffirming Human Rights Council resolution 40/11 of 21 March 2019, in which the
Council recognized the contribution of human rights defenders, including women and
Indigenous human rights defenders, working in environmental matters, referred to as
environmental human rights defenders, to the enjoyment of human rights, environmental
protection and sustainable development, urging all States to take all measures necessary to
ensure the protection of the rights and safety of all persons, including environmental human
rights defenders, and underscoring the responsibility of all business enterprises, both
transnational and others, consistent with the Guiding Principles on Business and Human
Rights, to respect human rights, including the rights to life, liberty and security of human
rights defenders, including environmental human rights defenders,
1.
Emphasizes that, while taking steps to respond to climate change, States must
ensure that they meet their obligations under international human rights law;
2