In this second part of our conversation with the Just Access Strategic Litigation team, Dr. Miranda Melcher continues her in-depth discussion with Dr. Tom Sparks and Dr. Lucas Sanchez about Just Access’s groundbreaking communication to four UN Special Rapporteurs. The communication addresses critical gaps in Germany’s climate change adaptation policies, specifically regarding children’s rights and the inclusion of human rights-based frameworks.

This episode dives deep into:

• Why Just Access chose this case and what makes it strategically important
• How this communication fits into Just Access’s broader mission of improving access to justice for socioeconomic and environmental rights
• The function of UN Special Rapporteurs and how this international legal mechanism works
• The innovative and collaborative process behind building this communication
• What outcomes Just Access hopes for—from influencing German policy to inspiring global action

Tom and Lucas share insights into the surprising gaps in adaptation-focused human rights litigation, the under-recognized vulnerabilities of children in climate policy, and how strategic litigation can ignite systemic change.

• Adaptation is lagging behind mitigation in international legal responses to climate change—this case aims to change that.
• Germany, though relatively advanced in adaptation efforts, lacks sufficient human rights safeguards—especially for children—in its strategies.
• Strategic litigation can create ripple effects across jurisdictions and empower other organisations to take similar action.
• Everyone has a role to play—whether through donating, volunteering, or simply spreading the word.

✅ Donate: Support our work at just-access.de

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📬 Get in Touch: podcast@just-access.de

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