The right to security and the right to a standard of living adequate for health and well-being, including food, clothing, housing, medical care, and necessary social services are both rights in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that are put at risk by climate change. Civil and political rights, such as “the inherent right to life” and rights related to culture, religion, and language, as embodied in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights are also being threatened.

Additionally, economic, social, and cultural rights such as the right of self-determination and the rights to freely determine one's political status are stated in the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural rights.

Climate Change threatens the rights of women, as embodied in the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women, especially women living in rural areas of developing countries, who are particularly vulnerable to the consequences of climate change.

 National governments have a duty to ensure that all of these human rights are promoted and protected.