Rather than framing climate as an individual entitlement, Professor Gupta argues for recognising a collective right to a stable climate.
She explained that climate stability sustains agriculture, water systems, supply chains, and everyday predictability, and without it, society cannot function.
“Climate works through water,” she said. “And water is central to everything.”
Courts around the world are increasingly recognising that climate instability undermines existing human rights even if climate itself is not yet codified as one.
This thinking is now echoed at the highest levels of the UN.
Erosion of fundamental rights
Speaking at the Human Rights Council in Geneva in June of this year, UN High Commissioner Volker Türk warned that climate change is already eroding fundamental rights, especially for the most vulnerable.
But he also framed climate action as an opportunity.
“Climate change can be a powerful lever for progress,” he said, if the world commits to a just transition away from environmentally destructive systems.
“What we need now,” he stressed, “is a roadmap to rethink our societies, economies and politics in ways that are equitable and sustainable.”
Political will, power, and responsibility
“The erosion of multilateralism symbolised by repeated US withdrawals from the Paris Agreement has weakened global trust. Meanwhile, 70 per cent of new fossil fuel expansion is driven by four wealthy countries: the US, Canada, Norway, and Australia,” said Professor Gupta.
She argues that neoliberal ideology focused on markets, deregulation, and individual freedom cannot solve a collective crisis.
“Climate change is a public good problem,” she said. “It requires rules, cooperation, and strong States.”
Developing countries face a dilemma: wait for climate finance while emissions rise, or act independently and seek justice later. Waiting, she warns, is suicidal.
As the UN High Commissioner concluded in Geneva, a just transition must leave no one behind.
“If we fail to protect lives, health, jobs and futures,” Volker Türk warned, “we will reproduce the very injustices we claim to fight.”