This publication compiles fourteen thematic documents developed through the collaborative efforts of a coalition of environmental, human rights, and academic organizations, alongside experts who have actively participated in the advisory proceedings from the outset. The topics reflect the main thematic areas articulated by the Court in the Advisory Opinion and are organized into four sections: (i) Foundational Rights and Knowledge; (ii) State and Corporate Obligations; (iii) The Rights of Affected Peoples and Groups; and (iv) Environmental Democracy and Remedies.
Co-authored by CIEL, IGSD, and more than 20 organizations and experts. Each brief was prepared by a lead organization and subjected to rigorous peer review to ensure accuracy and consistency. Together, they provide an in-depth analysis of the Advisory Opinion’s key contributions, its legal and practical implications, and the gaps and opportunities this landmark decision presents across the selected thematic areas. They also present arguments, standards, and practical recommendations aimed at strengthening climate litigation and advocacy strategies.
Also available in Spanish, Justicia Climática y Derechos Humanos: Estándares y Herramientas Jurídicas de la Opinión Consultiva 32/25 de la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos.
The article explores how the Inter-American Court of Human Rights’ long-awaited Advisory Opinion on Human Rights and the Climate Emergency marks a turning point in the jurisprudence of the Court by acknowledging the climate emergency as an existential threat to human rights and providing a framework for States to respond with urgency, ambition, and accountability.
IGSD’s jurisprudence compendium of key climate cases analyzes 29 climate cases from 22 jurisdictions worldwide.
These cases were selected to highlight the following important themes in global climate change jurisprudence.
- Supervision and accountability of state and non-state actors in addressing climate change
- Use and importance of climate science
- Human rights and climate change
- States’ obligations under international treaties to address climate change
- Judicial development and evolution of legal principles to address climate change
- Access to justice and legal standing to bring climate cases
Portuguese translation is available here.
Spanish translation is available here.
IGSD’s supplementary brief presented to the Inter-American Human Rights Court Advisory Opinion Proceedings on the Human Right to Resilience. This supplementary brief further addresses the legal obligations of States to establish and maintain climate resilience in response to the climate emergency to protect and ensure human rights.
Also available in Spanish, El Reconocimiento del Derecho Humano a la Resiliencia en Tiempos de Emergencia Climática, here.
As climate change increasingly impacts our lives, international and regional judicial advisory opinions are reshaping our approach to the climate emergency from an international law perspective. We are at an historic juncture, with three major international courts issuing advisory opinions on States’ obligations to address the climate emergency. These opinions could become crucial tools in advancing human rights protection and science-based climate governance. They may prompt concrete, timely climate actions and policies, transitioning from discretionary to mandatory measures and potentially igniting a new wave of climate litigation.
Photo credit: Alice Butenko
