Social protection and climate change side event at the Human Rights Council
In a world where 75% of the people have inadequate social protection and climate change is causing more and more despair, how do we plan to intervene on social protection? This was a key theme at the side event Corporate action for climate justice and human rights, held at the 29th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, on 16 June.
Alison Tate, Director of Economic and Social Policy at International Trade Union Confederation highlighted the fact that climate change is the greatest long-term challenge to achieving basic human rights. Natural disasters, in fact, lead to unemployment and negatively impact countries’ ability to expand social protection.
Tate recommended several steps to combat the negative effects of climate change, including sound investments in low emission industries to generate jobs; social dialogue and consultations amongst states, business companies and civil society; and further research on the impact of climate policies on employment.