Human Rights in Climate Change - Second Module of GMACC training initiative in Bolivia

As part of the Global Project for Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change (GMACC), the second module of the related training initiative, focused on “Human Rights and Climate Change,” brought together Bolivian civil society organizations from the Plataforma Boliviana Frente al Cambio Climático (PBFCC) network for two informative sessions with leading experts from across Latin America. The aim: to deepen the understanding of how the climate crisis is also a human rights crisis - and how communities can defend their rights through legal, political, and social mechanisms.

A Rights-Based Approach to Climate Change

Felipe Cárcamo, a Chilean environmental activist and analyst with the Climate Action Network of Latin America, opened the first session on april 28th by framing climate change as more than just an environmental issue - it’s a matter of human rights. From the right to life to access to water, health, food, and culture, Cárcamo emphasized that climate change exacerbates existing vulnerabilities rather than only creating entirely new ones.

Marginalized populations, especially Indigenous peoples, women, and youth, are disproportionately affected. This is due to systemic inequalities in the causes, impacts, and adaptive capacities tied to the climate crisis. Cárcamo also outlined key international frameworks like the Paris Agreement and UN resolutions that increasingly recognize the link between human rights and climate action. He stressed the importance of climate justice, calling for effective participation of local voices in decision-making, intergenerational equity, and historical accountability from high-emission countries.

Voices from the Territory: Legal and Strategic Tools for Defense

The second session featured by María Jhoselyne and Wara Ruiz Condori, both legal and environmental advocates. Jhoselyne presented an overview of Bolivia’s legal context for defending environmental and Indigenous rights, highlighting mechanisms such as legal actions (acción popular and acción ambiental), legislative advocacy, and academic contributions like amicus curiae briefs. She also pointed to gaps in Bolivia’s legislative landscape, particularly in areas like climate change and biodiversity, that still need to be addressed to strengthen environmental governance.

Ruiz Condori, a Bolivian journalist and international representative, emphasized the crucial leadership role Indigenous peoples play in resisting climate degradation. "Defending human rights in the face of climate change is a collective responsibility," she said, "with Indigenous peoples at the forefront through their knowledge, territory, and resilience."

She also spoke about the importance of strategic litigation in elevating cases with potential for broad impact and discussed local, national, and international opportunities for action. These include participation in climate summits like the upcoming COP30 in the Brazilian Amazon, where meaningful representation from Latin American territories is essential.

Toward COP30: Meaningful Participation, Real Impact

As Bolivia and the wider region prepare for COP30, this module highlighted that the inclusion of civil society, particularly from vulnerable and historically underrepresented groups, is not just symbolic, but vital. By strengthening legal frameworks, amplifying local voices, and investing in participatory tools, Bolivia's civil society can play a leading role in shaping a just climate future.

GMACC continues with future modules on climate negotiations, alternatives to climate change, and communication for advocacy, as the region builds momentum toward one of the most critical climate summits of the decade.