Enormous Challenges ahead of Search for International Climate Justice

 by Valerian Kkonde

ACCPU

As the world struggles to create a far safer, cleaner and more equitable world

 

Irresponsible garbage disposal in a major environmental destruction practice in Uganda. Even the smoke from the burning of plastic is a major health crisis. Photo by Valerian Kkonde/ ACCPU

That scientists continue to refer to global warming as a “super-wicked” problem, is proof that humanity is at a very critical stage of threatening her existence. This is so because humanity is failing to come up with concrete measures to address this threat.

It is not that people lack knowledge of what needs to be done; rather it is the political will that is lacking.

Nations, world leaders, companies, observers and well-wishers gather every year in search of a solution to human activities that are causing devastation to mother earth. It is at the Conference Of Parties (COP) that the world comes together in admission that concerted effort is needed to address the wreckage of extreme weather leaving many communities in a state of permanent crisis.

The 28^th Conference Of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) was hosted by the United Arab Emirates at the Expo City Dubai. This was last year, 2023, from November 30 to December 13. The Convention brings together the 198 Parties- 197 nations plus the European Union- that have signed on to the Framework Convention.

As Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change gather every year, extreme weather conditions continue to manifest themselves across every region of the world. With lives being overturned, the seemingly lack of improvement has led many to doubt the relevance of these high-level meetings. For many victims, they are mere “talk shows for the powerful.”

It is not only human beings that are destroyed in Palestine. Animals and plants are also under destruction and this makes life unbearable. 

“We participate in this Summit looking really to try to double down on the commitments that have previously been made to make sure that governments live up to those commitments and commit  the resources necessary,” observes Alistair Dutton, Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis.

Caritas is the Commission of the Roman Catholic Church overseeing relief and development. The Commission is present in every diocese of the Church and has a network that reaches the smallest structure of society worldwide.  

Climate change impacts include warming temperatures, changes in precipitation, increases in the frequency or intensity of some extreme weather events, and rising sea levels. These impacts threaten our health by affecting the food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the weather we experience.

Injustices include the use of public funds to rectify environmental destructions while the perpetrators are left to continue business as usual. Photo by Valerian Kkonde/ ACCPU 

The quality of source water is threatened through increased runoff of pollutants and sediment, decreased water availability from drought and saltwater intrusion, as well as adversely affecting overall efforts to maintain water quality.

In Uganda, heavy downpours and prolonged hostile dry-spells are on the increase due to climate change.

In 2008 National Water and Sewerage Corporation was searching for US $ 3 million to extend its water pipes 3 km deep into Lake Victoria. The aim being to bypass the intense algal bloom in the Inner Murchison Bay. This is the main water source for the capital Kampala’s water supply.

Algae are green microscopic plants that live in the surface waters of the lakes. They are usually visible to the human eye when there is a lot of sunshine. These catalyze their growth into huge masses. As they decompose on the shores, they give off a very pungent smell and degrade the water quality. This is the consequence of poor waste disposal systems, compounding health, environmental and financial problems. To treat the algae-contaminated water, National Water had to part with 11 billion shillings.

By cutting forests, CO2 emissions are boosted and habitants destroyed. Birds and animals are forced to migrate to areas which do not favour their existence. Photo by Valerian Kkonde/ACCPU

By all indication, the situation is getting worse every other day. Forest cover is fast diminishing, wetlands and other water bodies are threatened and as a result, seasons have become very unpredictable and hostile. Species of fauna and flora are becoming extinct. The impression is that there are no laws and the political will to hold government and other powerful actors to account.

According to Aguti Betty Rose, Caritas Uganda is optimistic that by engaging in awareness, advocacy for policy and legislative agenda, Ugandans and other people the world over, will finally realise the importance and need to adopt to the changing climate conditions.

“It is important that people avoid wastage in the first place. It is of no value to have more than one car in a family. People also need to migrate to sustainable energy.”

“The Pope is the most eminent advocate, the most consistent defender of true civilisation. By civilisation we mean the fusion of the religious, moral, philosophical, scientific, aesthetic, political and social elements. Centuries of history prove this.”_ Fr. James Alberione

Betty Rose is the Policy and Advocacy Specialist at Caritas Uganda. She is also the National Coordinator Uganda Farmers Common Voice Platform.

COP 28 is famed for marking the conclusion of the first global stock-take of the world’s efforts to address climate change under the Paris Agreement. With progress too slow across all areas of climate action- from reducing greenhouse gas emissions to strengthening resilience to a changing climate to getting financial and technological support to vulnerable nations- countries responded with a decision on how to accelerate action across all areas by 2023.

Governments were called upon to speed up the transition away from fossil fuels to renewables such as wind and solar power in their next round of climate commitments.

At COP 27 nations had agreed to set up a fund to support vulnerable nations and communities already experiencing adverse impacts of climate change. Discussions on operationalizing the new funding arrangements for Loss and Damage took place at COP 28.

Wetlands play a crucial role in the interdependence of all creatures. This requires sustainable use and protection. Photo by Valerian Kkonde/ ACCPU

Establishment of the Fund for Loss and Damage with commitments totaling US $ 700 million symbolizes global solidarity, reflecting both the urgency of the climate emergency and a step forward in international climate justice. Uganda was chosen as one of the first seven developing countries to benefit from this fund amounting to US $ 400 million.

This was also the first time that the UNFCCC resulted in unprecedented recognition and momentum for linking efforts to address the climate and biodiversity crises. Alongside pollution, these make up the triple planetary crisis- the three, main interlinked environmental issues facing humanity.

 The COP 28 Action Agenda was centered on fast-tracking a just and orderly energy transition, fixing climate finance, focusing on people, nature, lives and livelihoods, and fostering inclusivity.

Disappointments ranged from failure to deliver for low- and middle income countries to not securing the assurances that countries with the greatest historical responsibility for climate change will go further, faster and will generate the finance needed for a global just transition.

Not only was the policy of “transition away” changed from the original, stronger-worded policy of “phasing out” fossil fuels, but also the decision did not elaborate on any time framework for the transition away from the fossil fuels and contain any mechanism which will hold governments accountable to this.

Transitioning to electric vehicles is one of the ways sought to reduce on greenhouse emissions. Photo by Valerian Kkonde/ ACCPU 

One of the main voices on climate change is Pope Francis and his messages are consistent. In his encyclical- Laudato Si- he calls on humanity to take action on climate change, stressing that the problem is great.

That Pope Francis published Laudate Deum just before the Summit is further proof that he cares about the climate change issue and its consequences for our common home and its inhabitants. He had to cancel his scheduled presence at the Summit for health reasons.

“Pope Francis’ message to world leaders and key players is to the point. We have to act now for the good of humanity, for the good of the planet, to care for current and future generations,” says Dutton.

United States of America, China and India, some of the greatest polluters of mother earth, made optimistic moves and commitments at the COP 28 although their actions back home and internationally are devoid of walking the talk.

In Uganda China has become a nuisance and a disgrace, to say the least, when it comes to environmental degradation. They are constructing industries in wetlands and releasing effluents in our fresh water bodies. Between the capital Kampala and Lugazi municipality; and between the capital Kampala and Luweero town, one is treated to a deplorable sight of systematic environmental degradation. Southwards, the stretch between the capital Kampala and Masaka is more proof that at times the commitments at COP pass for talk-shows for the powerful.

One-time-use plastics require a lot of responsibility on the part of the public. Often times it is not the case, leading to indiscriminate disposal which causes environmental and health hazards. Photo by Valerian Kkonde/ ACCPU

The world’s second largest fresh water lake- Lake Victoria- is deteriorating at a supersonic speed due to the Chinese sand- mining and rice-growing, especially in Lwera.

Uganda too was ably represented by the Prime Minister Nabbanja Robinah and in her eight point national statement assured the participants that Uganda can be counted on as a partner to create a far safer, cleaner and more equitable world. 

“Government of Uganda recognizes and welcomes Just Transitions that is orderly and phased energy transition that ensures the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy that minimizes negative consequences on workers, communities, ecosystems and national economies for enhanced energy access and Sustainable Development.”

Wetlands continue to be destroyed in the name of development. Worse still, farmers apply dangerous pesticides to their crops causing environmental and human destruction. Photo by Valerian Kkonde/ ACCPU  

Major environmental crimes in Uganda have powerful political fathers and that explains why they continue unpunished and with impunity.

“If the current state of doing things is not changed, we are headed for doom,” observes Betty Rose.

Walking the talk of climate change remains a sensitive issue that countries like America and China, some of the major culprits, guard against. But for further progress, this problem requires significant efforts at the domestic level and international climate talks.

Editor- This article was first published in Leadership Magazine 2024.