The climate crisis is taking a mounting toll on lives, health, and livelihoods of people around the world. From burning forests to sweltering cities, parched farmlands to storm-battered coasts, unless governments act boldly—and quickly—to massively reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the situation could become unimaginably worse. As leaders and activists meet during the UN Climate Conference (COP26) in Glasgow this week to advance global efforts to address the climate crisis, here are three commitments Human Rights Watch would like to see: - Preserving Forests: Many of the countries that hold the world’s largest forest resources continue to have policies that encourage – or undermine efforts to halt deforestation. Governments should bridge the gap between their stated commitments to reduce deforestation and their actual policies.
- Phasing Out Coal: Coal is the highest-emitting fossil fuel, responsible for 30 percent of global emissions, and a major contributor to air pollution. Yet it remains the world’s main source of electricity. Governments should announce concrete steps to phase out coal.
- Ending State Support for All Fossil Fuels: Governments give billions in financial support to fossil fuel industries each year, incentivizing fossil fuel production, locking in polluting infrastructure, and delaying climate action. Ending this is critical to reducing emissions and protecting the rights of populations bearing the brunt of climate impacts.
As world leaders wrestle with these issues in Glasgow this week, they should understand that the climate crisis is a human rights crisis, and that the protection of human rights is essential for advancing global efforts to contain it. | 
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