In an open letter addressed to the State Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change urging for a human rights-based approach to climate change, 28 United Nations Special Rapporteurs and Independent Experts called for the respect of access rights in climate policy.
"Respecting human rights in the formulation and implementation of climate policy requires, among other things, that State Parties meet their duties to provide access to information and facilitate informed public participation in decision making, especially the participation of those most affected by climate change and by the actions taken to address it."
The UN Special Rapporteurs further noted that "the principle of free, prior and informed consent of indigenous peoples must be respected" and that "particular care must be taken to anticipate, prevent and remedy negative effects on vulnerable groups [...]." Furthermore, States have "the responsibility to ensure the protection of human rights defenders against violence, threats [...] or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of their legitimate activities, including in relation to climate change."
The letter was issued on the occasion of the meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action in Bonn. Among the 28 Special Rapporteurs and Independent Experts were the following:
