Every year, climate discussions at the UN grow more urgent as temperatures rise, extreme weather worsens, and vulnerable communities suffer disproportionately. Yet, as the clock ticks, our actions lag the pressing need for solutions.

Here’s a quick overview for hypothetical Biodiversity COP16 in Cali, Colombia to the Climate COP29: Building Equitable Accountability, Alignment, and Adequacy on Finance in Baku, Azerbaijan.

However, the international community left Cali with a long road ahead for meaningful, enduring, equitable implementation.

The climate crisis is the biggest threat to our survival as a species and is already threatening human rights around the world. Global temperatures are rising due to greenhouse gas emissions produced by human activity. Increased temperatures are directly contributing to harmful effects, such as droughts, floods, sea-level rises, , extreme weather events, loss of biodiversity and the collapse of ecosystems. Climate change poses a threat not just to human life, but to all life. It already affects the human rights of countless persons, and the impacts are only getting worse.

The UN, particularly through conferences like COP16 and COP29 which are taking place these days one in Colombia, one in Baku Azerbaijan, addresses the climate crisis with its goals for reducing emissions, aiding vulnerable countries in adaptation, and mobilizing finance. For both climate and nature, 2030 is a deadline that will dictate our future. By then, the international community will need to have implemented transformative change across all sectors, establishing climate-safe, nature-positive economies, while ensuring equity and human rights.

Current human rights discussions at the United Nations are largely centered on critical and intersecting issues such as climate justice, humanitarian crises, and technological impacts on vulnerable groups.

At COP29 in Baku, the link between climate change and human rights has been a primary concern, especially given how environmental issues affect the rights to health, shelter, and livelihood. The discussions have focused on the disproportionate impact on marginalized communities and calls for phasing out fossil fuels to protect these rights. Key initiatives, like the Loss and Damage Fund, aim to support climate-vulnerable countries, but there is an ongoing push for stronger commitments in areas like fossil fuel reduction and environmental justice.

The Vincentian commitment to service is more vital than ever in the face of climate and human rights challenges. By acting and supporting justice, Vincentians can be a beacon of hope for those suffering due to environmental degradation and inequality.

Sister Michelle Loisel, DC
NGO Representative at the UN
Company of the Daughters of Charity