United Nations rights expert stresses role of human rights in climate change negotiations
The 2015 climate conference aims…for ambitious, just and balanced Paris agreement on climate change, applicable to all after 2020, to keep global warming below 2°C…Norway, the U.S., and some European countries are said to be blocking the inclusion of human rights provisions in the binding part of the agreement. Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, has been lobbying for its complete exclusion…The current draft released on Friday had references to human rights in the preamble. However, the paragraph which under "Purpose" which is more operative suddenly became bracketed compared to the draft released yesterday - meaning it is still up for discussion and can be removed anytime…[T]he…text reaffirmed the solemn commitment of all States to fulfill their obligations to promote universal respect for and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, in accordance with the United Nations Charter and Universal Declaration of Human Rights…