NEW YORK - Human rights are vital to ensuring that the energy transition benefits both people and the planet, the Special Rapporteur on human rights and climate change, Elisa Morgera said in her latest report to the UN General Assembly, urging States to act to address inequities in energy production, extraction and access.
"Renewable energy, particularly solar and wind power, is key to enable phasing out of fossil fuels, contributing to the most effective climate change mitigation action and preventing further widespread and severe impacts on human rights of climate change," Morgera said.
The expert reported, however, that severe human rights violations and displacement linked to renewables megaprojects and the rush towards energy transition minerals have been documented around the world. "Indigenous Peoples, peasants, women, children and workers have borne the brunt of these violations," Morgera said. "These projects may also cause environmental harm, with further negative impacts on the rights to food, water and a healthy environment."
The Special Rapporteur noted that the science is available to prevent these negative impacts. Human rights evidence and norms help avoid mistakes, including replicating harmful and unsustainable economic models, she said.
"It is imperative to carefully assess across the full life cycle the effects of renewables and mining on people and ecosystems, through inclusive and integrated plans and coherent legal frameworks," Morgera said.
"States should support the co-development of energy transition solutions, through genuine dialogues to understand different needs, choices, capabilities, and areas of knowledge, including Indigenous science, traditional knowledge, and the lived experiences of those already negatively affected by climate change and mega-projects," the Special Rapporteur said. "States should also limit mining to what is essential for the energy transition, without responding to mineral demands for sectors that harm the climate."
"A rapid energy transition is needed, but it should not be unchecked," Morgera concluded. "Rather it should enhance opportunities to ensure effective climate change mitigation, benefits to nature and health, as well as reduction of energy poverty and costs of living."
