A UNESCO expert group comprising 24 members from 24 countries concluded its meeting to prepare first draft of a strong and comprehensive Universal Declaration on Ethical Principles in Relation to Climate Change. The 5-day meeting was convened by UNESCO in Rabat, hosted by the Royal Academy of Morocco.

 

Najib Saab, secretary general of the Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED) and member of the expert group, hoped that the Declaration «will be a strong tool of moral pressure to support adherence to the Paris Climate Accord, by providing a global ethical base to shame violators, and even take them to courts.»

 

The Declaration will be presented to UNESCO Assembly for adoption in 2017. It covers 6 principles: avoiding harm, precautionary action, justice and fairness, sustainability, solidarity, and integrity of scientific knowledge.

 

«The discussions were candid,» Saab added, «and the group aimed at producing a straightforward text that is comprehensible by politicians and the general public.» AFED reports were cited in recommendations of many group members, especially in relation to sustainable consumption, ecological footprint and the energy-water-food-climate change nexus.