A Call for Climate Justice

Climate change is not just a scientific or environmental issue; it is a profound moral challenge that demands urgent international cooperation. Despite recent strides towards global unity, the questions of justice and fairness, especially between developed and developing nations, remain some of the most complex issues in global climate governance. International climate justice aims to ensure that those least responsible for climate change but most vulnerable to its effects, such as many African nations, do not bear an unjust share of its consequences. It also emphasizes holding accountable those entities most responsible for the emissions driving this crisis.

Africa, contributing minimally to global emissions but suffering significantly from climate impacts, has been a vocal advocate for climate justice in international agreements. This principle of climate justice has been a cornerstone of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), yet despite numerous initiatives, a significant equity gap persists. Climate justice continues to be a contentious issue in international diplomacy.

In this quest for justice, two economic paradigms—green growth and degrowth—have emerged as potential pathways. Both seek to reduce natural resource use, shift away from fossil fuels, and promote equity and alternative production and consumption forms. However, they differ fundamentally in their approach. Green growth suggests that economic growth can be decoupled from environmental degradation, whereas degrowth advocates for a deliberate downsizing of the global economy by reducing consumption and production.

As an African scholar focused on international climate justice, I am deeply concerned with which paradigm—degrowth or green growth—better serves the moral imperative for justice for poor countries, especially in Africa. Considering Dobson's observation that environmental sustainability and social justice are not always coterminous, it is crucial to explore a balance. A world can be environmentally sustainable yet socially unjust and vice versa. While degrowth ideals align with certain international climate justice goals, there is a tension with the need for large-scale economic growth necessary to lift millions in Africa out of poverty. Therefore, I argue that a robust or genuine green growth model, emphasizing greening innovation, investment, and improved social equity within the framework of international cooperation, offers a more viable foundation for climate justice in Africa and the Global South.

The Imperative for Climate Justice in Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa, contributing less than 5% of global emissions, faces disproportionate climate impacts. With minimal per capita carbon emissions, it would take an average Ugandan 129 years to emit the same amount of carbon as an average American in one year. By 2050, up to 105 million people in Africa may be forced to migrate internally due to worsening climate conditions. Climate-induced migration already fuels violent conflicts over resources, as seen in clashes between herders and farmers.

Approximately 70% of Africans lack access to electricity, and nearly 90% of rural dwellers rely on firewood and animal dung for cooking. Addressing energy poverty within a climate-constrained framework is a formidable challenge. Moreover, 40% of people in Sub-Saharan Africa live on less than $1.90 a day, with climate change exacerbating extreme poverty.

This climate injustice mirrors broader environmental and economic inequalities. Rich countries consume up to ten times more natural resources than the poorest nations. Inhabitants of North America consume around 90 kg of resources daily, compared to just 10 kg per person in Africa. Despite decades of efforts to combat hunger, 200 million African children suffer from malnutrition, a figure expected to rise to 433 million by 2030, while countries like the United Kingdom waste millions of tonnes of food annually.

The critical question in international politics today is not merely about resource scarcity but about ensuring fair distribution and equitable access to resources. In this context, evaluating the potential of degrowth and green growth becomes essential for advancing climate justice in Africa and other poor developing countries.

Degrowth vs. Green Growth: Paths to Climate Justice

Degrowth advocates for reducing consumption and production, fundamentally challenging the growth-centric global economy. This approach aligns with certain climate justice principles by prioritizing ecological sustainability and social equity. However, its call for a significant reduction in economic activity raises concerns about lifting millions out of poverty, particularly in regions like Africa that require substantial economic development.

Green growth, on the other hand, proposes decoupling economic growth from environmental harm. It emphasizes innovation, investment in green technologies, and policies aimed at improving human well-being and social equity. This approach offers a more feasible solution for regions needing economic growth while transitioning to sustainable practices.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while both degrowth and green growth offer valuable insights and strategies for achieving climate justice, a robust green growth model appears more promising for Africa. It balances the need for economic development with environmental sustainability and social equity. By focusing on greening innovation, investment, and international cooperation, this approach provides a viable pathway for Africa to address its unique challenges within the broader framework of global climate justice. The pursuit of climate justice is not just a moral imperative but a necessity for ensuring a fair and sustainable future for all.