Commitments Regarding Climate Action Lose Substance Over Time

The world is facing a climate crisis of unprecedented proportions, and the consequences are disastrous. From the loss of coral reefs to extreme weather events, the impact is felt across the globe. However, it is the countries in the Global South that are disproportionately affected by climate change and its causes.

Recent reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) suggest that we are far from achieving the goal of restricting global heating to below 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels. The IPCC's authors reported that we will likely exceed the 1.5 degrees Celsius limit and are currently on track for closer to 2.5 degrees of global warming.

This grim outlook is due in part to the lack of solidarity and empathy from the Global North countries. Critics argue that these nations, who are least affected by climate collapse, have a lower incentive to provide aid. The UK, for instance, had promised £11.6 billion to tackle the climate crisis, but was reportedly planning to retract this pledge. However, the UK government has since denied these claims and stated that it remains committed to delivering on the promise.

Despite this, the problem with climate pledges is that they do not address the root causes of the climate crisis, which are socio-economic in nature and tied to racial capitalism. Governments are deeply invested in maintaining this system, not tackling its root causes.

Indigenous communities, who have practices in harmony with nature, hold many solutions to the climate crisis. One such organization is OFRANEH in Honduras, which defends the cultural and territorial rights of the Garífuna people. The Climate Justice Resilience Fund and the CLIMA Fund, for example, support women, youth, and Indigenous-led projects in East Africa and the Bay of Bengal.

The Paris Agreement, hailed as the most significant pledge in history, has been criticized for not going far enough. At COP26, rich countries pledged another $100 billion to tackle the climate crisis, but the pledge of $100 billion per year from wealthy countries to poorer countries by 2020 was not met.

Continuous failure to meet climate pledges indicates that they are not backed by substantial policy reform, especially for those building towards climate justice. The Climate Emergency Fund supports organizations such as Last Generation (Germany), Just Stop Oil (UK), Extinction Rebellion UK and France, Scientist Rebellion, Alternatiba Paris, Renovate Switzerland, Fireproof Australia, Save Old Growth (Canada), Ultima Generazione (Italy), Declare Emergency (USA), Extinction Rebellion DC, New York Communities for Change, West Virginia Rising / Coal Baron Blockade, and Green New Deal Montgomery County, all of which work on climate protection and climate resilience.

In conclusion, the climate crisis is a global emergency that requires immediate and substantial action. The consequences of not meeting climate pledges are dire, and it is essential that governments prioritize climate justice and work towards addressing the root causes of the climate crisis.