A landmark climate case is being heard by the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The request was brought by the Pan African Lawyers Union and other African civil society organisations. They’ve asked the court to issue advice on what responsibilities African governments have to protect their countries against the climate crisis and move away from an economy that harms the environment.
Zunaida Moosa Wadiwala and Tracy-Lynn Field of the Mandela Institute alongside several other organisations have asked to participate as friends of the court (amicus curiae). Their brief argues that African states have a duty to protect the climate system because a safe, stable climate is essential for people’s rights.
What are the major climate change problems Africa faces?
The continent has made the least historical contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, which drive climate change. But it suffers unequally and more heavily from climate disasters like drought, floods, heatwaves and rising sea levels. All of these threaten human health and safety, food and water security and the development of society and the economy.
Climate change disrupts ecosystems, causes crop failure and lost food production, and increases poverty, disease, loss of lives and livelihoods, water and energy insecurity and loss of natural and cultural heritage.
