COP29 Exposes Climate Inequities: Africa Demands Justice

Baku, Azerbaijan – As COP29 unfolds, it starkly exposes the inequities in climate negotiations, with Africa and other Global South nations demanding unity and justice to secure their futures. The irony is clear: those who suffer the most from climate change are the least responsible for causing it and have the fewest resources to mitigate its impacts.

Historically, richer nations have accrued vast wealth by exploiting the planet’s resources at the expense of less developed, poorer countries—primarily in Africa, Asia, Oceania, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Today, the wealthiest 10 percent of the world’s population contributes 49 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions, while the 50 percent living in developing nations accounts for only 12 percent. Yet, these developing nations bear the brunt of climate change, facing extreme droughts, flooding, unprecedented storms, sea-level rise, and wildfires.

Adding to the global challenge, the election of climate skeptic Donald Trump as President of the United States marks a significant setback for climate action. Meanwhile, a senior member of Azerbaijan’s COP29 team was filmed trying to use the conference to secure oil deals, further highlighting the contentious nature of climate negotiations.

At COP29, the spotlight is on the Global South’s renewed calls for a just transition and climate justice. Despite strides in international climate policy, efforts to address climate justice remain inadequate. As a legal historian and human rights scholar involved in a UN-led research project, I am in Azerbaijan to discuss preliminary findings with stakeholders at COP29. This year’s conference is a crucial moment to center climate justice at the heart of global efforts against climate change.

Climate (In)justice

Climate justice emphasizes the ethical responsibility of those who have benefited the most from carbon-intensive development to reduce their emissions and assist those most affected by climate change. Conversations about climate and environmental goals must include those who have suffered the most and stand to suffer more.

Many developing countries are just beginning their industrial revolutions and lack practical alternatives to building refineries and coal mines. They need help to catch up without exacerbating global problems. Climate finance and technology transfer are essential, as developed countries pledged $100 billion annually by 2020 to support climate action in developing nations. However, this commitment was only achieved in 2022.

Going Beyond Current Initiatives

Climate justice requires equitable distribution of resources and benefits, ensuring that climate action costs and benefits are shared fairly. It must be integrated into global political economy aspects, including development financing, technology transfer, and international trade policies.

Existing initiatives, like the Green Climate Fund and the UN’s Loss and Damage Mechanism, provide frameworks for climate justice but are insufficient alone. Greater investment and buy-in from wealthier countries are necessary. Efforts should encompass reforms to international trade and global governance to ensure greater equity and fairer representation for all.

Enlightened Self-Interest

Political inertia often hinders climate action. However, the growing number of climate refugees seeking safety in Europe and North America may motivate developed countries to act out of enlightened self-interest. By helping Global South countries address their climate crises, developed countries can help people remain in their homes, easing the strain on resources and reducing xenophobia and border closures.

Public Response and Demands

Kenyans have taken to social media to demand fairness and protest against climate inequities.

Glory Kathure (@gloweeh) wrote on X (formerly Twitter):

“@COP29_AZ should focus on shaping the future of climate finance. Developed countries should uphold their commitments and focus on increasing more financial flows for climate action. #GlobalNorthPayUp StandUp For ClimateFinancing.”

Another user echoed the sentiment:

“Global financing mechanisms, including climate finance, must be aligned to accelerate transformation and the clearly envisaged benefits for global finance. @COP29_AZ the hopes we had are being dimmed #GlobalNorthPayUp StandUp For ClimateFinancing @ActionAid_Kenya.”

The Path Forward

As UN Secretary-General António Guterres noted at COP29’s opening, climate finance is not charity; it’s an investment in the collective well-being of all humanity. The deliberations offer a renewed opportunity to prioritize climate justice by reinforcing financing for mitigation and adaptation strategies rooted in equity and fairness.

COP29 is set to focus heavily on finance, with discussions largely centered on increasing funding to help lower-income countries reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To achieve meaningful climate action, the global community must address underlying inequities and ensure that all voices, especially from poorer nations, are heard and valued.