SYNOPSIS:
“The causes of #climatechange are clear. Developed countries have appropriated the Earth’s atmospheric space by emitting the vast majority of historical #greenhouse gas emissions, while they only represent 20% of the world’s population...The way to solve the #climatecrisis in a fair, effective, and scientifically sound way is to honor #climatedebt .”
This statement from the Universal Declaration for the Rights of Mother Earth, drafted at the People’s Conference and hosted by former Bolivian President Evo Morales, echoes what has been a subject of discussion globally - Are the poor, developing and vulnerable nations owed climate reparations by the developed west?
As climate change impacts accelerate, it can be expected that the costs and burdens of climate change will disproportionately impact those who have been rendered most vulnerable given the accumulated weight of history. Amongst the two facets of #climatejustice - redistribution and corrective justice, the latter has been met with much opposition by the Global North. The developing countries argue that the rich nations, owing to historical opportunities, have had the lion’s share in using resources to pursue economic growth and thereby contribute to unchecked global pollution. And thus, they have an obligation, not least to provide compensation for the high costs that #globalwarming warming and climate change have already imposed on the developing and vulnerable nations.
However, the Global North has consistently dismissed the suggestion, with the notion that the corrective justice argument conflates current generations with past generations. Another counterargument is that a full accounting of all the historical benefits accrued to the poor and developing countries due to the developed Global North may paint a completely different picture.
While the proposed Green Climate Fund with its ambitious goals is yet to fully take off, time is running out for those who are positioned at the forefront against climate change. Urgent corrective action - reparations and restitution may well be the last hope for many threatened and vulnerable communities worldwide. Will the global leadership forge a consensus on the way ahead or will the ‘Polluter Pays Principle’ remain limited to just lip service?
We discuss the multifaceted topic ‘Should the Rich World foot the Climate Bill?’ with a distinguished set of panelists in a LIVE discussion on Argumentative Indians.
SPEAKERS:
1.Dr. Navroz K Dubash:
Professor at the Centre for Policy Research, where he conducts research and writes on climate change, energy, air pollution, water policy, and the politics of regulation in the developing world. He is currently a Coordinating Lead Author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (Sixth Assessment), advises the UNEP Emissions Gap Report Steering Committee, and has been a member of the Scientific Advisory Group of the UN Climate Action Summit.
2. Dr. Benoit Mayer
Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK LAW). He is also associated with McGill University’s Hans & Tamar Oppenheimer Chair in Public International Law, the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL), the National University of Singapore’s Asia-Pacific Centre for Environmental Law, Wuhan University’s Research Institute in Environmental Law, and the Earth System Governance project.
3. Joe Thwaites
International Climate Finance Advocate at the Natural Resources Defense Council. He works to scale up international climate funding, shift finance to be aligned with the Paris Agreement’s goals, and reform international financial institutions to be more effective at supporting climate action.
4. Esther Stanford-Xosei
Reparationist, Jurisconsult, Community Advocate, Educator, and an emerging Ourstorian of the International Social Movement for Afrikan Reparations.
5. Stuti Mishra
India correspondent for The Independent with a special focus on the climate crisis and economy.
EXPLORE MORE:
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DISCLAIMER:
We invite thought leaders from across the ideological spectrum. The guests in our sessions express their independent views and opinions. Argumentative Indians does not profess to subscribe, agree or endorse the same or be in anyway responsible for the stance, words and comments of our guests.