Human rights and climate adaptation

The Human Rights Council, in its resolution 62/14 (July 2026), focused on the issue of human rights and climate adaptation. The Council acknowledged that adaptation is an urgent priority and a global challenge faced by all countries, in particular developing countries, especially those that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. It reaffirmed that national adaptation processes should facilitate country-owned and country-driven action guided by the best available science and the importance of consideration of gender, human rights, intergenerational equity and social justice, and participatory and fully transparent approaches to adaptation.

The Council called upon States to better promote the human rights of persons in vulnerable situations, their inclusion in risk reduction decision-making and their access to livelihoods, food and nutrition, safe drinking water and sanitation, social protection, healthcare services and medicines, education and training, adequate housing and decent work, clean and low-emission energy, science and technology, including digital technology and early warning systems, in the light of the right of everyone to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications, and ensure that services can be adapted to emergency and humanitarian contexts. It also urged States to strengthen adaptation and disaster risk reduction strategies that reduce vulnerability, support resilience and address displacement, human mobility and migration in the context of climate change, including by facilitating safe, voluntary and dignified movement in accordance with applicable international law and by addressing protection gaps affecting persons moving across borders, especially women and girls, older persons and persons with disabilities.

Secretary-General's analytical study on human rights and climate adaptation

The Human Rights Council, in its resolution 62/14 adopted on 6 July 2026 entitled "Human rights and climate change" (para. 24), requested the Secretary-General to consult Member States and other relevant stakeholders in order to prepare and submit to its sixty-sixth session an analytical study on human rights and climate adaptation: challenges, good practices, and recommendations on actionable pathways to safeguard the enjoyment of human rights of the present generation and the needs and interests of future generations.

To inform the analytical study, OHCHR transmitted a Note Verbale and Questionnaire English | Français:  to Member States, UN Agencies, IGOs, NHRIs, CSOs, and Academic Institutions, inviting them to respond to the questionnaire and provide inputs. The inputs received will be made available on the relevant Call for Input page