Objective

The purpose of this public consultation is to collect input and recommendations from Civil Society Organizations in preparation for the Rapporteur’s next report to the Human Rights Council in 2023 to the issue of the right to adequate housing and climate change.
Mr. Balakrishnan Rajagopal, the Special Rapporteur, will hold 3 regional consultations with civil society, and additionally will consult with States, National Human Rights Institutions, Local Governments, etc.

This is an invitation to civil society active in the Americas region.
Please note that the meeting will be held in English, with interpretation in Spanish.

Registration

Please register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0qcOurrj0uGtCYNJF80BZDWZ7TsPMUYJlv

Key Questions for the Consultation

• What measures are needed in your country to limit the specific threats the climate crisis poses to guaranteeing the right to adequate housing?
• How can countries limit the contribution of housing, including the construction sector, to climate change?
• What challenges are countries facing in transitioning towards a rights-compliant, climate resilient and carbon-neutral housing?

Background

In 2009, the previous Special Rapporteur, Ms Raquel Rolnik, already dedicated a report (A/64/255) to the question of climate change and the right to adequate housing. More than a decade later, we have a fuller understanding and evidence of how the climate crisis is affecting the enjoyment of the right to adequate housing all over the world, as well as how the solutions to guarantee the right to adequate housing may contribute to climate change and an unsustainable future.

We have now a more robust international development framework and, with the Paris Agreement, a call on States to respect, promote and consider their respective obligations on human rights when taking action on climate change. UN Member States furthermore adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and, with it, put in place the Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 11 – “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”, and Goal 13 – “Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts”.
Besides participating in the consultations, civil society representatives and other actors are strongly encouraged to submit information in writing. More information, including a questionnaire in English | Français | Español to assist collecting information is available here. Submission are especially welcome by 31 August 2022.