UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

59^th session

Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on human rights and climate change

30 June 2025

EU Statement

Mr. President.

The EU thanks the Special Rapporteur for the report on the imperative of transitioning away from fossil fuels and towards net-zero and climate-resilient economies; it rightly highlights the impacts of the fossil fuels through their life cycle on human rights.

Madam Special Rapporteur,

It is important to remain vocal about the human rights implications of fossil fuel use, particularly in the context of climate change. In this regard, the EU is actively engaged in discussions on advancing the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, and remains committed to ensuring a just transition that is effective, human rights-based, and transformative.

Moreover we are actively working towards phasing out as soon as possible fossil fuel subsidies which do not address energy poverty or just transition. 

This includes identifying which subsidies to phase out, determining how to redirect resulting savings to decarbonization efforts, and ensuring adequate support for those in vulnerable situations. In this context, the EU is also actively working towards making finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and climate-resilient development.

Madam, Special Rapporteur, 

We appreciate the detailed recommendations of your report addressing various categories of stakeholders.  With regard to the recommendation to amend investment treaties and contracts – what realistic timeline do you project for this work to ensure that the human rights impacts on all affected human rights holders are appropriately assessed?

Thank you.