A/HRC/29/19
that support livelihoods, and the establishment of cross-sectoral links to ensure decent
employment and social welfare.
58.
Ms. Yao recommended future measures that were adapted to the situation and
conditions of those most affected by climate change and developed with the involvement of
all stakeholders. Mechanisms that enabled communities to share knowledge and good
practices and to participate in decision-making, monitoring and accountability processes
should be strengthened. Participants at the recent International Forum on Agriculture and
Climate Change discussed climate-smart agriculture that adapted to environmental pressure
and had fewer adverse environmental impacts. A multi-stakeholder global alliance on
climate-smart agriculture had been established to promote sustainable and equitable
increases in agricultural productivity and incomes, build resilience of food systems and
farming livelihoods and achieve reductions or removals of greenhouse gas emissions by
agriculture.
59.
She said that, as it becomes increasingly clear that climate change had adverse
impacts on the enjoyment of the right to food, the international community must take
action, including by implementing the FAO Right to Food Guidelines, Voluntary
Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure and Principles for Responsible
Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems. These tools offer critical human rights-based
guidance to help realize the right to food and take climate action. Ms. Yao proposed a
strong commitment in the post-2015 development agenda to ensure the empowerment of
key actors, especially women and vulnerable groups, who played a crucial role in realizing
the right to adequate food.
60.
The General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, Olav Fykse Tveit,
asserted that climate change was a matter of life or death. It brought home messages from
religious traditions worldwide that the world is one creation, that all persons share
responsibility for its stewardship and that the actions of the few can impact the basic
conditions of life for all. He said that climate change was about universal human rights. The
problems highlighted by the panellists were real and climate change was already affecting
the enjoyment of all human rights, including the right to food. Many communities were
suffering from rising sea levels, salinization of fresh water sources, increased frequency and
intensity of tropical storms, changing rainfall patterns, droughts and floods and changing
temperatures, which had a direct impact on food security.
61.
He said that, in its resolutions, the Human Rights Council had for years highlighted
the human rights impacts of climate change and special procedures mandate-holders had
reported on climate change in relation to several human rights. The 2010 Social Forum
recommended the establishment of a special rapporteur on climate change and human rights
who would work to enhance the enjoyment of human rights by those most vulnerable to
climate-related hazards. Mr. Tveit reiterated that call, emphasizing that the disproportionate
impact of climate change on those most vulnerable and least responsible was an issue of
fundamental injustice.
62.
Since the scientific consensus on human-induced climate change was clear, the
world needed urgent and collective action on behalf of all humanity, including in
preparation for the 2015 Paris Conference of the Parties. The World Council of Churches
had specifically addressed climate change since the late 1980s, linking it to issues of peace,
economic justice and the environment. Climate change had environmental, political, ethical
and spiritual dimensions. Therefore, efforts to prevent, mitigate and adapt to climate change
and its impacts should be the focus of a broad-based approach rooted in human solidarity.
Those who lived in rich countries would need to change their lifestyle patterns. Those in
vulnerable countries should have the means to build resilience and adapt. Change must
occur at the individual, community, national and international levels. States, the Human
Rights Council, civil society and faith-based organizations should cooperate to ensure
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