New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India convened a core advisory group meeting in New Delhi Tuesday, to examine the connections between climate change, the environment, and human rights. The meeting, held in a hybrid format, focused on the theme “Climate Change and Human Rights”, a PIB release revealed.
NHRC Acting Chairperson Vijaya Bharathi Sayani emphasized the impact of climate change on vulnerable communities, particularly tribal people whose livelihoods are linked to the environment. Sayani highlighted the ancient wisdom embedded in Indian texts that underscores the deep connection between humanity and nature. She urged businesses to adopt sustainable practices and take responsibility for mitigating climate change’s impact. Sayani also called for strengthening disaster preparedness and developing more resilient systems, stressing the urgency of finding solutions to address the challenges posed by climate change.
The meeting explored the impact of climate change on Indigenous populations, how extreme weather events affect lives and livelihoods, and how corporate accountability is relevant in the context of climate change, the release added.
NHRC Secretary General Bharat Lal stressed the critical need to address climate change and environmental concerns through a human rights lens. Lal emphasized that access to a clean, healthy, and functional environment, including the right to clean air and water, is essential for enjoying basic human rights, such as the right to life, health, food, and a decent standard of living. He underscored the urgency of strengthening monitoring systems and promoting coordinated action among all stakeholders to address climate change concerns.
Lal encouraged participants to offer concrete advice and actionable suggestions to help the NHRC make necessary recommendations to the government.
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