UAE human rights body calls for safeguards in climate technology

The UAE’s National Human Rights Institution has called for human rights considerations to be built into the development and use of climate technologies.

The recommendations were submitted to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and include carrying out human rights and environmental impact assessments throughout a technology’s lifecycle.

The NHRI also called for greater involvement of affected communities, protection of workers’ rights and fairer access to new technologies.

It said low-carbon technologies should not automatically be considered safe or sustainable and should instead be assessed for their impact on people, privacy, land, water and biodiversity.

The report also highlighted the UAE’s experience in areas including renewable energy, carbon capture, hydrogen and the use of artificial intelligence in energy, water and agriculture.