Protecting Human Health from Climate Change: Legal Obligations and Avenues of Redress under International Law

Abstract

In this contribution, we explore how human health can be protected from climate change and its adverse effects by reliance on States’ obligations under international law. We achieved this by reviewing the principal legal instruments that establish the right to health, as well as those that recognize that climate change has an adverse impact on health (Part II). We then examine the means of redress that may be available to those whose human right to health has been interfered with or violated because of climate change (Part III). Finally, we draw some conclusions as to the current effectiveness and future direction of these developments.