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impact of advisory opinion on Environment and human rights
Panel discussion on the impact of advisory opinion on Environment and human rights.

On September 26th, 2024, the Center hosted an enlightening panel discussion on the upcoming International Tribunals’ Advisory Opinions on the Obligations of the State in Respect of Climate Change. This pivotal conversation brought together distinguished legal experts Carlos Ayala Corao (Professor of Human Rights at American University), Claudia de Windt (Chief Executive and founder of The Inter-American Institute on Justice and Sustainability (IIJS), and Andrea Repetto Vargas (Director of the IDB Group’s Independent Consultation and Investigation Mechanism), all of whom possess significant expertise in the fields of human rights and environmental law.

The panel provided attendees with a comprehensive analysis of the Advisory Opinion coming soon from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, addressing its historical context and the reasons behind the request for this legal instrument. Panelists explored how the Advisory Opinion is expected to shape the responsibilities of states in mitigating climate change and its far-reaching implications for the protection of human rights in the face of environmental challenges.

Key points of discussion included:

  • The intersection of international human rights obligations and environmental governance.
  • The ways in which climate change disproportionately impacts vulnerable communities and how states must address these inequities.
  • The potential influence of the Advisory Opinion on both public and private sector policies, including corporate accountability for environmental harm.
  • This engaging event provided attendees with a unique opportunity to understand the evolving role of international law in combating climate change and protecting human rights.
  • It also sparked meaningful dialogue on how legal frameworks can be used as tools to drive global environmental justice.

We thank our esteemed panelists for their expertise and insights, and we are grateful to the students and community members who joined the discussion. This event reflects the Center's ongoing commitment to addressing critical issues at the intersection of human rights and global challenges like climate change.