Let's start with the news: This is the fifth exhibition, an unprecedented decision in the Asian continent, the Constitutional Court of Korea do Seoul declared that the laws in force in the country to combat climate change Does not protect human rights Basics and lacks goals to protect future generations. By February 2026, the court ruled, the carbon neutrality law will have to be reviewed to ensure it complies with South Korea’s constitution as well: Failure of climate action And unconstitutional. Ultimately, it could be a turning point for a country that is among the “worst climate countries” in the world.
The victory being celebrated on the other side of the planet contrasts with the news we have in Europe: at the fourth exhibition, the Swiss government announced that The European Court's decision will be overturned. Human Rights (European Court of Human Rights). In April, the court ruled in favour of the association. Com ClimateSeniors, as “Avós pelo Clima”It decided that climate change in Switzerland is insufficient, violating rights such as respect for private and family life (or interference in their lives) and access to the courts. The government’s position, which has not yet been formally communicated to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, is a major blow to the implementation of the landmark decision (or “a slap in the face to two cities,” as KlimaSeniorinnen put it).
We have European courts going on. While the cases before the European Court of Human Rights await a decision, a group of NGOs is raising another front in the battle: the Court of Justice of the European Union. Here, the big question will be what measures the European Commission will implement. Violation of the special climate lawIt will be proven that it is clearly insufficient to achieve the objectives assumed by the group, the associations assert. On the other side of the Atlantic, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights also promises new developments this year, after holding hearings throughout the region, in a decision on the obligations of states with regard to their duties to prevent and guarantee human rights in the world. Emergency context. Climate.
Finally, at the end of the year, another major front in the climate battle will advance in our podiums: the start of public hearings for the O. Request for advisory opinion International Court of Justice on the obligations of two states in relation to climate change.
In short, climate justice continues to gain momentum – and not just in our courts. The human rights debate surrounding the impacts of climate change is taking place at a deeper level. – In the end, what rights are we talking about? We deserve to benefit. No truth Whose rights?
In September, at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, the Special Rapporteur on development, Surya Deva, will present two reports containing reflections on the issues we have and those we must take into account. On the one hand, he claims that Future trends It should not be merely “needs and interests” (as it has been addressed), nor should it be limited to the human race, because our existence is intrinsically linked to the human. Contact with other living things We live on this planet (in itself, the ecological approach must take into account “multi-species justice”).
Another idea that will be presented at the UN General Assembly is a New Quadro for Climate JusticeWhat the hell or Compensation for loss and damage caused by climate change as a form of remedy that should be the responsibility of two major historical emitters. In addition to mitigation, adaptation and remediation, Surya Deva proposes a fourth pillar, which represents a real challenge: or transformationThis means that we will not be able to achieve climate justice under the current consumer system, obsessed with GDP growth, divorced from binding human rights obligations. – And the mute or chip.
Finally, with regard to climate justice (which goes beyond the two platforms), or highlighting this Back to school Perhaps it is the Summit of the Future, a major meeting on September 22-23 convened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres to try to coordinate a transformative agenda to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (finally).
It will certainly, and unfortunately, not be a “transformative” agenda in the sense that Surya Deva proposes. But we can hope that it will at least serve to make us aware of two rights that we possess but cannot use, just as two rights that still do not exist on paper but no longer exist. We begin to realize that it will be necessary. For our common future.
Next week, I will be in Berlin again. Clean Energy Wire Network (CLEW) Day Laborers. Thinking about the energy transition, exploring ways to audit to ensure a just transition and building networks of cooperation between countries. What should we pay attention to during this complex transition? Are there patterns of inequality that would make sense to deepen with other countries? If you have any questions, ideas or suggestions, send an email!
