It is difficult to deny the value and importance of human rights, and yet their application in the context of climate change is increasingly contested. While some argue that it is difficult to establish the violation of human rights by climate change processes, others contend that human rights are anthropocentric, and therefore, cannot provide sufficient protection to the environment.

On 27-28 January 2022, Leiden University’s interdisciplinary seed grant programme ‘Beyond Anthropocentric Interests and Values? Human Rights and Climate Change’ hosted a conference on human rights and climate change.

On 21 October 2021, Shiming Yang joined the liveable planet lunch meeting. She talked about China’s international commitment and domestic climate policies. She examined a small yet important sector –the cooling sector. As Global Warming continues, the demand for cooling systems increases, but the main refrigerants used worldwide, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), are potent GHGs.

On Monday 25 September, Marion Collewet, Matthew di Giuseppe, Jarek Kantorowicz, and Hendrik Vrijburg presented their reseach on 'Building Northern Public Support to Finance Climate Policies in the Global South' during a GTGC lunch seminar.

While there is a general consensus on the need for climate action among elites and the public, the public overall willingness to pay for such efforts is much lower.

Today’s world faces large-scale climate change and other environmental disruptions. Meeting these challenges involves major adjustments to economy and society, with substantial potential for conflict and violence. This dialogue assembled leading authorities on the relationship between climate and peace, including speakers from civil society, government, university and youth. The panel explored how climate change can be handled in ways that minimize war and maximize peace.

International public finance is essential for global collaboration on climate change. With the deepening climate crisis and stagnant public finances, it is essential to maximize the impacts of limited resources, especially in the developing world. To this end, new public climate organizations have emerged, and existing multilateral and bilateral mechanisms have made innovations to improve climate finance.

On 8-10 June 2022, the GTGC international conference was organized. The conference included high-level roundtables regarding the International Criminal Court (including opening remarks by the ICC President), climate change, and the global Internet in a divided world. Further plenary sessions revolved around several subjects including climate change; digitalization; democracy; migration; and multistakeholder governance.

Climate adaptation strategies frequently include the sourcing of heritage, encompassing landscapes, built environments and cultural practices. However, effective climate change governance requires taking seriously the stakes of local communities and the power relations that structure heritage initiatives.