Stirling students support UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights

Two University of Stirling students have supported a United Nations initiative aiming to put the human rights of those impacted most by climate change at the forefront of future policy.

Mollie McGoran and Grace Fennell, who are studying LLM Master of Laws Human Rights and Diplomacy, supported the UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, Professor Elisa Morgera, by carrying out background research as part of their postgraduate studies during the first half of 2025.

The Stirling course is the only Human Rights and Diplomacy Masters in the world taught with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). It helps students to develop professional diplomacy skills through UN expert training, as well as providing the opportunity to gain real-world experience on human rights research and policy work.

Mollie and Grace, who will travel to Malaysia for their internships with the United Nations Development Programme later this year as part of their Masters studies, helped prepare the 2025 thematic report of the Rapporteur to the Human Rights Council on the imperative of defossilising world economies.

Mollie, from Alness, said: “It was a pleasure to contribute to Professor Morgera's report. Climate change has always been a special interest of mine which made the work even more rewarding."

Grace, from Aotearoa, New Zealand, added: “It was an honour to support the Special Rapporteur's work on a global issue as urgent and far-reaching as climate change.

“This work emphasised the importance of learning from communities who are experiencing the direct impacts of fossil fuels, particularly Indigenous communities."

The UN Special Rapporteur is a pro-bono and independent position supported by the organisation, focused on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change.

The role involves supporting the development of international human rights standards to address and prevent the adverse effects of climate change on these in national policymaking, legislation and planning, as well as reinforcing cooperation internationally and in the business sector.

Dr Damian Etone supported Mollie and Grace with their research

Work carried out by the Special Rapporteur aims to contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13, urging urgent measures to combat climate change and its impacts, and SDG 14, focused on the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas, and marine resources.

It also aims to enhance the resilience and adaptive capacities of people in vulnerable situations to respond to the adverse impacts of climate change.

Dr Damian Etone, a Senior Lecturer in International Human Rights Law at the University of Stirling's Faculty of Arts and Humanities, said: “Our students' role supporting the United Nation Special Rapporteur on Climate Change, Prof Elisa Morgera, with background research as part of their Human Rights Masters programme at Stirling empowers them to contribute directly to global efforts in addressing climate challenges, fostering critical skills, and amplifying evidence-based policy advocacy on an international stage.”