Elisa Morgera

She will work closely with UN member states on climate change’s impact on people’s human rights.

Professor Morgera holds a PhD in international law from the European University Institute and an LLM in environmental law from University College London. She speaks five languages and has conducted field work, for the UN or on academic research projects, in more than 30 nations.

She said: “It is a critical time to illuminate the full potential of human rights to respond to diverse demands for climate justice and clarify how public authorities, business, and civil society must leave no-one behind in urgently charting a transformative path towards a safe climate for present and future generations.

“I look forward to working with the United Nations and its member states, human rights holders and experts to enhance our opportunities to learn from one another in co-developing effective, fair and inclusive solutions to the greatest challenge of our times.”