from farmers, fisherfolk, indigenous communities and Filipinos affected by typhoons – including Typhoon Yolanda, which devastated parts of the Philippines in November 2013 – and other natural disasters. The report of the NICC documented adverse impacts on a wide range of fundamental human rights. It included the testimonies and experiences of women, children, indigenous peoples, older persons, LGBTQIA+ persons, and persons living in poverty. It also highlighted the human rights impacts for future generations. The report, released in 2022, includes recommendations for the government and its agencies, for ‘carbon majors’ and carbon intensive industries, for investors and financial institutions, for courts, for civil society organisations, for legal professionals, for other NHRIs, and for the United Nations. Building on the release of the report and its efforts to promote dialogue and cooperative action at the local and national levels, the CHRP has prepared and implemented an engagement strategy to support efforts to develop a proposed framework on environmental rights in Southeast Asia. Strategic engagement on the right to a healthy environment Between September 2022 and February 2023, the CHRP conducted a series of meetings and workshops with key national stakeholders and the Philippines’ Representative to AICHR. Consistent with the CHRP’s ongoing outreach efforts following the release of the NICC report, this engagement sought to promote dialogue on the linkages between the environment, climate change and business and human rights, as well as strengthen partnerships in support of the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. Goals The CHR’s engagement strategy sought to: ● ● ● Take stock of best practices of, and challenges faced by, national government agencies, local government units, the private sector, civil society organisations, academics and marginalised communities, in the context of the environment, climate change and business and human rights Establish and deepen the relationship with the Philippines’ Representative to AICHR, in the context of the environment, climate change and business and human rights Provide a platform for policy development with key stakeholders and provide substantive input to support the development of a proposed framework on environmental rights in Southeast Asia. Project planning and design Preparation and planning were key to delivering an effective engagement strategy. A series of preparatory meetings were held via Zoom in September and October 2022 involving CHRP staff and the APF to discuss the objectives, scope and methodology for engaging with national stakeholders and the Philippines’ Representative to AICHR. Additional internal meetings were held in November and December 2022 to review progress and ensure that the scheduled meetings and workshops were proceeding as planned. The project built on the key findings and recommendations of the NICC. - 18 -