UN experts 'gravely concerned' about attempts to block Vanuatu's climate resolution

United Nations experts say they are "gravely concerned" about attempts to block a Vanuatu-led climate resolution at the UN General Assembly.

Vanuatu is drafting a resolution on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) opinion which found that failing to protect people from climate change could violate international law.

The UN statement does not mention any country by name, but the US has been pushing back against Vanuatu's draft resolution.

The Associated Press reported the US State Department telling its embassies and consulates it strongly objects to the proposal being discussed by the General Assembly, and that its adoption "could pose a major threat to US industry".

"President Trump has delivered a very clear message: that the UN and many nations of the world have gone wildly off track, exaggerating climate change into the world's greatest threat," a cable obtained by the AP said.

Vanuatu's climate minister Ralph Regenvanu told the ABC's Pacific Beat that they are pressing on.

"We note their concerns but we're continuing with the inclusive consultation process to enable all states to have the equal opportunity to provide the input into the draft resolution and we'll see what happens."

The UN experts, all special rapporteurs, said they "are gravely concerned about attempts to block the resolution from being considered at the UNGA [United Nations General Assemby]".

"There is a disturbing pattern of growing obstruction across UN processes against explicit references to fossil fuels and the ICJ advisory opinion, including at the Human Rights Council."

The experts are Elisa Morgera, special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change; Astrid Puentes Riaño, special rapporteur on the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment; and Marcos A. Orellana, special rapporteur on the implications for human rights of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes.

They said the draft resolution could support a collaborative and inclusive approach to fulfilling states' obligations to legislate on the fossil fuel phase-out; remove fossil fuel subsidies; document climate harm; and respond to reparation claims. The UN said these efforts could complement the Paris Agreement's Loss and Damage Fund, which remains severely underfunded and in need of reform.

"States must not delay 'difficult' conversations," the experts said.

"A General Assembly resolution will set the direction for multilateral action towards the effective protection of the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, including a safe climate, as a pre-condition for peace and the enjoyment of all human rights by present and future generations."

The expert group said reparations identified by the ICJ overlap with states' pre-existing obligations to prevent environmental and human rights harm; conserve and restore ecosystems; and fund effective environmental action in countries most affected by climate change and least responsible for it.

"States must comply with their obligations to cooperate in the effective protection of the environment, the climate system and human rights."

RNZ