From Emissions to Equity: A Human Rights and Environmental Justice Critique of Global Climate Governance

This paper examines whether climate change constitutes a human rights issue within the frameworks of international law and environmental justice. Drawing on United Nations Human Rights Council resolutions, the Paris Agreement, IPCC findings and leading climate litigation cases. The paper analyzes how adverse climate impacts undermine civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. It reviews doctrinal challenges in applying territorial human rights obligations to transboundary climate harms and explore the paradigms of environmental justice emphasizing on equity and procedural fairness. The research objectives include mapping legal obligations, assessing gaps in protection for vulnerable groups and proposing normative and institutional reforms. The paper concludes with recommendations for strengthening human rights-based climate governance through a “common concern of humankind” approach, enhanced accountability mechanisms and inclusive decision making processes.