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General comment No. 26 (2023) on children’s rights and the environment with a special focus on climate change [1]
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Date: 2023-08
Committee on the Rights of the Child
Background
The extent and magnitude of the triple planetary crisis, comprising the climate emergency, the collapse of biodiversity and pervasive pollution, is an urgent and systemic threat to children’s rights globally. The efforts of children to draw attention to environmental crises created the motivation and were the momentum behind this general comment. The Committee benefited from the contributions of children at its 2016 day of general discussion on children’s rights and the environment . A diverse and dedicated children’s advisory team supported the consultation process undertaken for the general comment, with 16,331 contributions from children , from 121 countries, through online surveys, focus groups and in-person national and regional consultations. The Committee also received inputs from States, experts and other stakeholders through two rounds of consultations on the concept note and first draft of the general comment.
Summary
In this general comment, the Committee emphasizes the urgent need to address the adverse effects of environmental degradation, with a special focus on climate change, on the enjoyment of children’s rights, and clarifies the obligations of States to address environmental harm and climate change. The Committee also explains how children’s rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child apply to environmental protection, and confirms that children have a right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.
Version
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Related documents
A child-friendly version will be available on 18 September 2023.
Inputs received on the first draft (2023)
In November 2022, the Committee invited all interested parties to comment on its draft general comment, and received the following submissions from States, regional organizations, United Nations agencies, national human rights institutions and Children’s Commissioners, children’s and adolescent groups, civil society organizations, academia, the private sector, and other entities and individuals. Check the findings of the consultations with 8,915 children from 76 countries on the draft general comment and the list of organizations who supported children’s participation in the consultations .
States
Regional organisations and United Nations agencies and mechanisms
National human rights institutions and Children’s Commissioners
Children’s and youth groups and reports of consultations with children and young people
Other stakeholders
Submissions and consultations on the concept note (2021)
In October 2021, the Committee invited State parties to comment on the concept note of the general comment. The received submissions are available below.
In parallel, consultations with children in diverse contexts across multiple countries, as well as with State parties and experts from relevant fields, were undertaken to ensure that their perspectives are fully reflected in the general comment. Check the findings of consultations with 7,416 children from 103 countries and an analysis of feedback from the general public and from thematic workshops.
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[1] Url:
https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/general-comments-and-recommendations/general-comment-no-26-2023-childrens-rights-and
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