Resolution on the development of Guidelines for the Promotion and Protection of Human and Peoples’ Rights in the Context of Climate Change ACHPR/Res.662(LXXXVII) 2026

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission), meeting at its 87^th Ordinary Session, held from 24 April to 20 May 2026;

Recalling its mandate to promote and protect human and peoples’ rights pursuant to Article 45 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter);

Further recalling that Article 24 of the African Charter states that all peoples shall have the right to a general satisfactory environment favourable to their development;

Recognizing that Africa, despite contributing only about 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, is particularly vulnerable to and bears the heavy brunt of climate change, whose adverse impacts remain among the main threats to the improvement of the standard of living of peoples of the continent;

Affirming the applicability of the international law principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC) founded on the recognition of the responsibility that countries that contributed the most to greenhouse gas emissions, which account for climate change, bear;

Cognizant of the increasing severity and frequency of the impact of climate change-induced extreme weather events on human and peoples’ rights across the continent, including on small island states, and the urgency of adopting and implementing measures for addressing these human and peoples’ rights impacts;

Recalling ACHPR Resolutions 153 ACHPR/Res. 153(XLVI)09, Resolution 271 ACHPR/Res.271(LV)2014, and Resolution 342 ACHPR/Res.342(LVIII)2016 mandating the conduct of a study on the impact of climate change on human and peoples’ rights; andResolution 628 ACHPR/Res.628 (LXXXII), on the need for a study on the development of a specific legal framework for the protection of forcibly displaced persons in Africa as a result of climate change;

Welcoming the presentation and adoption of the Study on the Impact of Climate Change on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Africa (the Study) by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights during the 87^th Ordinary Session, held from 24 April to 20 May 2026;

Determining that the human and peoples’ rights issues and challenges arising from the impact of climate change in Africa require the provision of clear guidance clarifying the protection measures that human and peoples’ rights holders should be provided with and the scope of obligation of States Parties to the African Charter and businesses in the context of climate change;

The Commission:

1. Affirms that the climate emergency constitutes a serious threat to the enjoyment of human and peoples’ rights in Africa, thereby giving rise to major legal problems relating to the enjoyment of human and peoples’ rights.
2. Determines that these human and peoples’ rights issues arising from climate change warrant the formulation and laying down of ‘principles and rules’ as provided for in Article 45(1)(c).
3. Decides thatthe Working Group on Extractive Industries, Environment and Human Rights Violations in Africa should make use of the study on climate change for developing Guidelines on the protection of human and peoples’ rights in the context of climate change, having regard to the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable groups.
4. Calls on all interested parties, appeals to all stakeholders to cooperate with the Working Group to support development of the Guidelines.

Done in Banjul, The Gambia, on 20 May 2026