Human Lives Human Rights: As leaders from Africa convene for the Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the UNFCCC, human rights activists stress the importance of prioritizing human rights and climate justice. Lessons from the inaugural Africa Climate Summit, where the Nairobi Declaration on Climate Change and Call to Action was adopted, underscore the need to rectify shortcomings in addressing the intertwined issues of climate change and human rights.
While the Nairobi Declaration strives to address Africa’s climate challenges, critics argue that certain proposals within it inadequately address emissions causing climate change and fail to offer sufficient support to those adversely affected by global warming.
The Nairobi Declaration emphasizes global financial reforms and the swift implementation of the Loss and Damage Fund agreed upon at COP27. This fund aims to assist countries in recovering from climate-related disasters, such as droughts, cyclones, and floods.
Despite the escalating human rights violations resulting from climate change impacts, such as droughts, floods, and rising sea levels, activists contend that the Nairobi Declaration does not firmly anchor itself in human rights principles.
Specific proposals within the declaration, particularly those related to carbon markets, have historically led to negative outcomes for vulnerable communities. Carbon offsetting projects, such as reforestation or afforestation initiatives, have resulted in forced evictions in Africa, further exacerbating human rights violations.
Rights groups are calling on African leaders participating in COP28 to ensure that the Loss and Damage Fund prioritizes human rights protection. Criticism is directed at the emphasis on carbon trading, which shifts the burden of reducing CO2 emissions to African countries, despite developed nations bearing the primary responsibility for the climate crisis.
Leaders are urged to advocate for grants instead of loans to alleviate the continent’s debt burden and facilitate effective responses to the climate crisis.
Concerns are raised about the lack of clarity surrounding the proposal for a global carbon pollution tax, as its operational details remain unclear. Activists caution that such a tax could disproportionately impact economically disadvantaged communities by increasing the costs of essential needs like energy and food.
At COP28, human rights advocates insist that African leaders demand not only the fulfillment of existing commitments by developed countries but also a substantial increase in climate finance contributions. Additionally, leaders are encouraged to champion just energy transition frameworks and environmentally sound technologies that prioritize the rights of both rural and urban communities.
Background:
In September 2023, African leaders convened in Nairobi, Kenya, for the inaugural Africa Climate Summit, where the Nairobi Declaration was drafted as the continent’s unified stance ahead of COP28.
