The Inter-American Court of Human Rights has officially recognized the right to live in a healthy climate. This ruling highlights that climate change is not only an environmental issue but also a matter of human rights.
A historic decision by the highest human rights court in the Americas has opened a new chapter in the fight against climate change. The Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) has officially recognized that people have the right to live in a healthy climate. This ruling is not only a legal milestone but also sends a clear message about the responsibilities of states and companies regarding the climate crisis and is seen as a turning point for the climate justice movement.
The IACHR reviewed more than 260 written submissions from governments, companies, and local communities over two years following a formal request from Chile and Colombia. The decision was announced in a public hearing at the court’s headquarters in San José, Costa Rica, by Judge Nancy Hernandez. It is the first time in IACHR’s history that a direct link between climate change and human rights has been legally recognized.
Judge Hernandez stated: “The evidence we saw during the hearings and submissions shows that we can no longer remain passive. Law plays an important role, but success depends not only on law but on what we all do.”
For the first time, the right to a healthy climate was defined as a subcategory of the right to a healthy environment. This right describes a climate system free from dangerous human-made interventions, thus protecting both people and nature. Climate change is thereby recognized not only as an environmental issue but also as a fundamental human rights issue.
The 230-page ruling emphasized the following obligations for states:
Cooperate to reduce emissions as ambitiously as possible
Conduct environmental impact assessments to prevent harm
Regulate and monitor the exploration, extraction, and processing of fossil fuels
Control the climate impacts of sectors such as cement and agriculture
The court also stressed that companies historically responsible for higher emissions should bear differentiated obligations and be subject to stricter regulations.
The advisory opinion is not only a legal decision but also serves as a guide for states and companies in climate action. During the process, the court held hearings and conducted field visits in particularly affected regions, including Barbados and Brazil, describing the process as its “most participatory advisory procedure” in history.
Luisa Gomez from the Center for International Environmental Law described the ruling as “innovative,” stating that it provides new tools for legal and policy climate work. Catalina Fernandez from the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the decision sets a “more demanding standard” for states and could help both governments and civil society advance climate action.
Last year, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Switzerland violated its citizens’ human rights by failing to adequately reduce emissions. Similarly, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is expected to publish an advisory opinion this year on states’ legal obligations to tackle climate change. Experts believe the ICJ’s decision will be influenced by the IACHR ruling.
Vanuatu’s Climate Minister, Ralph Regenvanu, commented:
“Regional and international courts play a crucial role in advancing climate justice. These rulings open the way for a more holistic approach in international law that recognizes and addresses the historical injustices faced by the global South due to the climate crisis.”
This decision once again demonstrates that climate change is not just an environmental problem but a human rights issue. Now, higher standards are set for all states, companies, and sectors. Measuring carbon footprints, developing reduction strategies, and implementing transparent reporting are no longer just voluntary sustainability initiatives but also a way to protect fundamental human rights.
At CO2 Manager, we support companies with innovative software solutions and consulting services to fulfill their legal and ethical responsibilities. Because we know that a healthy climate future is only possible with concrete steps taken today.
Source: Historic Decision: Healthy Climate Recognized as a Human Right – Iklim Haber, July 8, 2025