Bonavero Institute Publishes its Second Report of 2025: International Human Rights Obligations in relation to Climate Change
"International Human Rights Obligations in relation to Climate Change", the second Bonavero Report of 2025 published today, examines the obligations of states in relation to climate change under international human rights law, and addresses the consequences of states breaching these obligations.
The Report stresses that all states have binding human rights obligations, and that many human rights protections are threatened by climate change. These range from individual rights, such as the right to life, to collective rights, such as the right the indigenous peoples to maintain their culture and way of life, and the rights of future generations. The report shows that breaches of human rights constitute internationally wrongful acts, triggering a duty of redress on behalf of states, through cessation, non-repetition, and various forms of reparations.
The Report is authored by Professor Martin Scheinin, the British Academy Global Professor at the Bonavero Institute between 2020 and 2025. The Report reproduces his expert report submitted to the International Court of Justice at the invitation of the Republic of Vanuatu, in its ongoing proceedings concerning the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change. The Court is expected to issue its Advisory Opinion later this year.
Join us for an online webinar to launch the Report on 13th May 2025 at 12:30pm GMT. The discussion will be chaired by Dr Ekaterina Aristova, and it will feature Professor Martin Scheinin, Lara Ibrahim and Danilo Garrido.
Click here to find out more about the event and register to participate.
Follow this link to read the Report, and click here to find the previous reports in our series.