[JURIST] The United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment on Thursday spoke [press release] at the Paris Climate Conference, reminding all nations that environmental issues are human rights issues. The conference includes 190 nations discussing a new universal agreement that would work to reduce greenhouse gas to combat global warming. Special Rapporteur John Knox said that, “[g]overnments do not check their human rights obligations at the door when they respond to climate change.” He reminded delegates, “[e]very State in the climate negotiations belongs to at least one human rights treaty, and they must ensure that all of their actions comply with their human rights obligations. That includes their actions relating to climate change.” Knox also discussed how an increase of two degrees would affect nations that are already vulnerable to human rights issues.

According to many experts, climate change [JURIST backgrounder] as a result of global greenhouse gas emissions is one of the most pressing and controversial environmental issues facing the international community today. In July US President Barack Obama and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff announced an agreement [text] to address climate change [JURIST report]. Both countries pledged to reduce carbon emissions by increasing the use of wind and solar power sources to 20 percent of each nation’s electricity production by 2030. Brazil also pledged to help reduce the deforestation problem by restoring nearly 30 million acres of Amazon rain forest. China also announced its climate change goals [press release] in July, including reducing its adjusted carbon monoxide output by 60 percent.