Voices from the Global South, Testimonies from the Climate Emergency. A human rights dossier

Abstract

This 'dossier' brings together the lived experiences of Indigenous peoples, local communities, environmental defenders, youth advocates and civil society actors from the Ecuadorian Amazon and Mauritius to examine the climate emergency as a human rights crisis. Adopting a comparative South–South perspective, the publication combines first-hand testimonies with human rights analysis, scientific evidence and recent developments in international law, demonstrating how climate change threatens fundamental rights, territories, cultures and livelihoods.

The publication's distinctive contribution lies in placing the voices of frontline communities at the centre of the research. Rather than speaking about land and environmental defenders, Indigenous peoples and climate-affected communities, it enables them to speak for themselves. Through carefully documented testimonies, the publication captures lived realities, local knowledge and community resilience, offering a perspective on climate justice that is grounded in the experiences of those confronting its impacts every day.

This publication was developed in partnership with Right Livelihood, including contributions from the 2025 Right Livelihood Laureate Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC), and was produced within the framework of the Global Campus Alumni Cross-Regional Projects 2025–2026.

The publication's full version includes the complete testimonies, expanded regional and legal analysis, detailed methodology, maps and full references.