The Australian Human Rights Commission has called for urgent action from government and business to address the growing impacts of climate change on Australians’ human rights. Launching its first major report on the issue, Human Rights on a Warming Earth, Commission President Hugh de Kretser emphasized that climate change poses an extreme threat to human life, health, housing, food, and water, which are legal rights that Australia is obligated to uphold under international law. He highlighted the need for immediate action to protect both current and future generations.
The report stresses that governments and industries must accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels, end subsidies for fossil fuel companies, and support workers affected by this shift. President de Kretser emphasized that rapid action guided by human rights principles is crucial, particularly in light of the International Court of Justice’s recent decision confirming that nations have a legal duty to prevent significant climate harm and may be held liable for continued fossil fuel production and consumption.
In addition to energy transition measures, the report recommends the establishment of a comprehensive Australian Human Rights Act. Such legislation would provide legal protection for Australians’ human rights, guide governments in making climate-related decisions, ensure a fair and just transition to renewable energy, and strengthen preparedness for increasingly severe climate-related disasters.
The report also highlights that climate change will disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, including people living in poverty, older adults, people with disabilities, First Peoples, children, and rural communities. President de Kretser warned that the speed and scale of action will determine the severity of climate impacts and the quality of life for all Australians, underscoring the urgent need for a human rights-based approach to climate policy.
