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Advancing Human Rights on the Path to Net Zero National Human Rights Commission Addresses Climate Change-related Human Rights Issues with Aarhus Convention Principles

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in collaboration with the Environmental Rights Foundation, hosted an international forum today (20th) titled “Following Human Rights Toward Net Zero: Environmental and Human Rights in Climate Governance.” The event featured Professor Thomas Schomerus, an elected member of the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee (ACCC), who shared insights into the interplay between human rights and environmental rights in the context of net zero transition. Chairperson of NHRC Chen Chu expressed gratitude to Schomerus’ guidance in assessing Taiwan’s climate governance through the lens of the Aarhus Convention and for offering valuable recommendations. Chen highlighted the urgent reality of the climate crisis, noting Taiwan’s growing vulnerability to extreme weather events in recent years. In 2023, the NHRC included “climate change” in its Medium-Term Strategic Plan, underscoring the critical need to adopt the Aarhus Convention principles to address climate change-related human rights challenges, particularly those impacting vulnerable communities. The NHRC will continuously adhere to the three pillars of the Aarhus Convention—access to information, public participation, and access to justice– particularly when addressing climate change-related human rights challenges impacting vulnerable communities and when reviewing the government’s policies on access to justice. Schomerus emphasized that states have the obligation to protect future generations from the impact of climate change. He added that principles of environmental democracy and legal frameworks, as outlined in the Aarhus Convention, are crucial in urging states to adopt the Convention.

 

       Chen said the Aarhus Convention was adopted in 1998 in the Danish city of Aarhus, citing the Convention’s emphasis on people’s rights to be informed, involved, and to have access to justice in environmental decision-making. While Taiwan is not yet able to become a party to the Aarhus Convention, it serves as a valuable reference for reviewing environmental policies. The Convention’s three pillars—the rights to be informed, be involved in decision-making, and access to justice—are in perfect alignment with the core values of the Taiwanese society. 

 

       This forum is focused on the importance of public participation and policy transparency. Climate policies should go beyond government and corporate involvement, ensuring that the public has the rights to access information and participate. Schomerus, an elected member of ACCC, is a professor of public law, focusing on energy and environmental law at Leuphana University Lueneburg, Germany. At the forum, Schomerus spoke about the international development of climate-related human rights and environmental rights issues, sharing the climate-related litigation cases filed worldwide. He also gave suggestions to help Taiwan address its environmental and climate issues, expressing the hope that the country’s obligations to human rights will not be neglected in its climate governance. 

 

During the session “No One Left Behind on the Road to Net Zero,” Commissioner Tien Chiu-chin acknowledged the challenges of integrating the Aarhus Convention into domestic law due to its procedural nature. However, the administrative agency can embrace the spirit of the convention to ensure access to justice in environmental decision-making. Tien warned that without the information and participation pillars of the Aarhus Convention, achieving a just transition remains impossible. 

 

Commissioner Yeh Yi-jin hosted the afternoon session, “People-Oriented Adaptation of Urban Planning,” and highlighted the ongoing global impacts of climate change. She referenced this year’s severe flooding in Spain as an example. As the climate crisis intensifies, the process of energy transition should not involve only carbon actions but also taking into consideration the human rights of vulnerable groups. 

 

       The one-day forum was held in the Center for Public and Business Administration Education at the National Cheng Chi University. Also present at the forum were other members of the NHRC, including Vice Chairperson Wang Yu-ling and Commissioners Yeh Ta-hua, Upay Radiw Kanasaw, and Chi Hui-jung, as well as Christoph Saurenbach, Head of Trade Section of the European Economic and Trade Office and Chang Yu-yin, Chariperson of Environmental Law Committee of Taiwan Bar Association.