A Rights-Based Approach to Governance of Climate Geoengineering

September 2020
Citation:
50
ELR 10744
Issue
9
Author
Railla Veronica D. Puno

Faced with the growing threat of climate vulnerability, many have turned to the idea of geoengineering. However, many environmentalists and human rights advocates are wary of the risks related to geoengineering. At present, there is no international agreement that governs the deployment of geoengineering technologies. This Article explores a rights-based approach for the governance of geoengineering in international law, including the impetus, rationale, and options for implementation. The approach would take into account the need for participation, accountability, nondiscrimination, and equality in its development and deployment, while addressing the potential of such technologies in mitigating the impacts that climate change would have to the full enjoyment of human rights, including the right to a healthy environment.

Railla Puno has a J.D. from the University of the Philippines and recently earned an LL.M. in Global Environmental Law
from Pace University. She previously worked for the Philippine government, the NGO sector, and has served as a
negotiator to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.