A/79/317 18. Response to climate change. Many States have developed legal and policy approaches to address climate change impacts, including relocation for “green” energy projects or retreat from vulnerable areas. 19. In Pakistan, the Supreme Court ordered the cleaning of water channels for climate mitigation, leading to the forced eviction and demolition of homes along the channels. The implementation of the order gave little or no notice, disregarded varying degrees of tenure and offered little or no redress and compensation. 7 20. In Fiji, facing climate-related challenges, the authorities have developed guidelines on planned relocation to respect the rights and dignity of resettled persons. Relocation is considered a last resort and is intended to occur only after extensive consultation. The guidelines integrate international and national legal frameworks, ensuring improved housing, sanitation and access to services (see A/HRC/56/47). 8 21. Resettlement in conservation contexts. Conservation initiatives often overlook the realities of communities living in protected areas that are in fact protecting biodiversity, while leading to forced displacements. 9 22. In Thailand, the climate change master plan acknowledges community rights to forest resources, but the forestry master plan’s narrow focus on carbon sinks has led to eviction orders for Indigenous Peoples. 10 Similar issues have arisen in Cambodia and the United Republic of Tanzania concerning cultural heritage conservation (see para. 38). 23. Resettlement and transitional justice. Transitional justice frameworks can support rights-based resettlement by addressing displacement and providing restitution. They can constitute a form of reparation while ensuring guarantees of non-recurrence to prevent repeated displacement. 24. In Timor-Leste, the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation recommended inquiries into land disputes arising from resettlement programmes; 25. In the Marshall Islands, the National Nuclear Commission transitional justice strategy addresses risks from nuclear testing and radiation, incorporating resettlement as a form of reparation. 11 B. Development finance institutions 26. Mandate and purpose. Development finance institutions are generally tasked with supporting economic development but this has had different meanings over the years since the “birth” of development economics in the 1950s. While economists have offered many definitions of and approaches to economic development, 12 the key questions from a human rights perspective have revolved around how to minimize harm to people and the environment that accompanies economic development and how to spread its benefits more widely. While some institutions have changed their practices or developed policies to minimize or avoid these risks, many remain solely trapped within the paradigm of narrow economic development. For example, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), in its articles of agreement, prioritizes __________________ 7 8 9 10 11 12 24-15075 See communications PAK 6/2021 and PAK 7/2022. See also the statement by the Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment, David R. Boyd, on the conclusion of his mission to Fiji, 2018. See, for example, communications TZA 2/2023, KEN 4/2023 and AL THA 3/2022. See communication AL THA 3/2022. Marshall Islands, National Nuclear Commission, strategy for coordinated action, 2019. For a review, see H. W. Arndt, Economic Development: The History of an Idea (University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1989). 7/24