ECO has been searching the text of (former) APA agenda items and other PAWP agenda items (we’re looking at you, Article 6) for mentions of human rights and was dismayed to find these references few and far between. It seems that somewhere on the way to Katowice, Parties have forgotten entirely about their commitment to rights even though they have all signed on to at least one human rights agreement, not to mention the Paris Agreement. Is there an amnesia epidemic?
As ECO has pointed out, a respect for human rights, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, gender equality, public participation, just transition, ecosystem integrity and protection of biodiversity, food security, and intergenerational equity should drive the implementation of the Paris Agreement. Efforts to address climate change shouldn’t violate people’s rights or destroy the environment. Respecting and protecting rights goes hand in hand with climate actions and will enhance it, not impede it. Market mechanisms are no exception. They should respect rights, protect the environment, serve people and create (co-)benefits, not the opposite.
In its word search, ECO was pleased to see human rights references in Article 6, but this joy was brief upon realizing that every mention was in brackets. Parties seem to be questioning what human rights have to do with carbon markets. Some have even suggested that a reference to human rights is not appropriate because we have to seek to ensure the respect of each Party’s respective obligations. Don’t worry, ECO is here to remind you. Think Barro Blanco or Bujagali. The current market mechanism (the Clean Development Mechanism) certainly has caused human rights violations, so it is confusing to ECO that some Parties do not seem to think human rights are relevant in Article 6. Please contact ECO if you didn’t do your homework before coming to Katowice and want a refresher course complete with case studies of past projects and their harms. Calling something a “sustainable development mechanism” does not magically mean that communities won’t be harmed. It must come with environmental and social safeguards. Including a stakeholder consultation and a grievance process is a good step, but ECO thinks that Parties can do better in including guidelines that say market mechanisms shouldn’t involve projects that do not protect and respect human rights. And if Parties cannot agree that projects only count if they don’t threaten human rights then maybe they shouldn’t use the Article 6 mechanisms at all.
ECO appreciates the improvements related to participation, but hopes that the next time it searches the text for rights it doesn’t come up empty.
