Climate change and the right to a healthy environment One of the most urgent human rights issues facing communities in South-East Asia and the Pacific is the impact of climate change and environmental harm. Across the region, millions of people are at risk from rising sea levels, extreme weather events, increasing salination, drought, disease and other changes caused by a warming planet. In addition, the operations of national and transnational corporations can result in emissions, pollution and other environmental damage that compromises the health and livelihoods of communities. We also know that the human rights impacts on vulnerable groups – including women, children, people with disabilities and indigenous peoples – is greatly magnified. Role of NHRIs NHRIs can play a vital role to respond to and mitigate these human rights impacts, linking the international commitments made by their State with national actions. They can, for example, advise their governments on their obligations to implement the Paris Agreement, as well as supporting effective climate governance and facilitating progress towards zero-carbon economies. They can also use their unique mandate to promote decision-making on climate change and environmental rights that is participatory, non-discriminatory and accountable. This important contribution was reflected in a resolution, adopted by the UN Human Rights Council in October 2022, that highlighted the vital role of NHRIs to monitor the human rights impacts of climate change and advise government and others on the design and implementation of mitigation and adaptation policies and practices. This ‘bridging role’ extends to engaging with climate change responses at the regional level, where NHRIs can link local and grassroots experiences to regional policy making processes and, in turn, disseminating and promoting regional policies at the national level. “In safeguarding the rights of current and future generations, let’s treat our planet with the kindness and the humility it deserves. And let’s make sure that actions to safeguard our environment are grounded in the human rights of all.” Volker Türk UN High Commissioner for Human Rights -9-