EU Statement - HRC60 - Interactive dialogue on Secretary-General’s synthesis report on climate change

EU Statement - HRC60 - Interactive dialogue on Secretary-General's synthesis report on climate change

UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

60th session

Interactive dialogue on Secretary-General's synthesis report on climate change

18 September 2025

EU statement

The EU welcomes today's dialogue, which advances the Council's work on the impacts of climate change on human rights.

We fully share the report's conclusion that a just transition must address interconnected planetary crises while respecting, protecting, and fulfilling the human rights of all. A just transition must be firmly rooted in a human rights-based approach, ensuring equality, participation and accountability. We stress that the realization of all human rights, including the rights to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, safe drinking water and sanitation, health, work, social security and an adequate standard of living, must be safeguarded in the design and implementation of just transition policies. Particular attention should be given to gender equality and persons in vulnerable situations, ensuring that no one is left behind.

The EU reiterates the call to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems in a just, orderly and equitable manner, in line with 1.5°C pathways.

The European Green Deal is our roadmap to a climate-neutral economy by 2050, built on the principle of a just transition. To this end, the Just Transition Mechanism, mobilizing up to €55 billion between 2021 and 2027, provides targeted support for regions, industries and workers most affected by decarbonization. The Social Climate Fund further protects households, micro-enterprises, and transport users from disproportionate impacts of carbon pricing, ensuring that climate action strengthens social rights.

The report highlights best practices for upholding human rights in the context of climate change. How can these be more effectively applied, and which are the most promising mechanisms to ensure accountability when states or other actors fail to adopt a rights-based approach?