This month, the Commonwealth Secretariat published a short discussion paper on climate change and human rights. It is available online for free, although registration is required.
Human Rights and Climate Change: An Approach that Puts People in the Forefront of the Debate. July 2009
http://publications.thecommonwealth.org/
From the introduction:
A human rights model shifts the paradigm from
one that identifies ‘victims’ (who are most often
perceived as passive) to one acknowledging affected
groups as active stakeholders and critical voices.
Indeed, a rights-based approach frames the terms of
engagement and lays the basis for claims to be made
by ensuring affected populations are given the space
to speak, be heard, take action and influence
responses.
