On October 22, the “2024 Sino-European Human Rights Symposium” took place in Berlin, Germany, focusing on the theme “Emerging Rights Protection: Perspectives from China and Europe.” During the event, various experts engaged in discussions about the intersection of climate change and human rights.
Professor Zhao Shukun from the Institute of Human Rights at Southwest University of Political Science and Law emphasized that climate change is not just an environmental issue but a pressing challenge related to development and human rights. He highlighted its profound impact on ecosystems, natural resources, and human society, asserting that climate risks are global in nature and require international cooperation to effectively address them. Zhao called for a reformation of global climate governance leadership, integrating various mechanisms, including human rights processes and climate negotiations.
Professor Zhang Zhen, also from the Institute of Human Rights at Southwest University of Political Science and Law, pointed out that environmental rights are essential for realizing the rights to survival and development. He noted that the constitutional recognition of ecological civilization marks a significant milestone in China’s exploration of an environmentally friendly and legally sound development path, ushering in a new era of ecological civilization development.
Wang Zhengxun, a researcher and professor at the Human Rights Research Center at Northwest University of Political Science and Law, remarked that human history is fundamentally the history of the relationship between humanity and nature. He stressed that the green development concept, integral to the new development paradigm, focuses on achieving harmony between humans and the natural world. Wang advocated for sustainable development as a necessary condition, emphasizing the need for resource conservation and environmental protection as core national policies to build an ecological civilization in harmony with nature.
Associate Professor Tang Yingxia, Deputy Director of the Human Rights Research Center at Nankai University, warned against the potential negative consequences of overly expansive interpretations of climate-related human rights, such as dilution and fragmentation of rights. She urged for a reconstruction of the concept of climate human rights based on existing climate litigation and environmental rights frameworks, ensuring alignment with principles of legality and proportionality while clarifying the rights, obligations, and legal responsibilities involved.
Mao Chengyi, a research assistant and doctoral student at the Human Rights Research Center of Central South University, called for increased international cooperation and coordination in advancing human rights-based climate change litigation. He suggested the development of an international legal framework and action plan to address climate change, along with enhanced judicial cooperation to share legal practices and experiences among countries. Mao also emphasized the need for support for developing nations to bolster their capacity to tackle climate change.
The Sino-European Human Rights Symposium, established in 2015, serves as a structured academic platform for dialogue and collaboration in the field of human rights between China and Europe. This year’s symposium was jointly hosted by the China Society for Human Rights Studies and Central South University, with organizational support from the Human Rights Research Center of Central South University, the German China Cultural Foundation, and collaborative participation from the University of Münster and the International Philosophy Society.
