Summary: They demand increased funding for the loss and damage fund. Even though the global community donated USD $700 million to the fund, they say developing nations still need to spend US $400bn every year to combat the effects of climate change. To mitigate the hazards, governments have been urged to fund environmentally conscious campaigners first.
By eastafrican gazette
With the growing risks of climate change disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities already burdened by extreme poverty, such as children, young people, and women, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) advocating for climate change have launched a Climate Justice Week (CJW) of action to mobilize Uganda and other stakeholders in various sectors to advocate for climate justice and drive meaningful change.
CJW arrives at a critical juncture, connecting communities, governments, and organizations around the world in a collaborative effort to confront the urgent challenges posed by climate change.
Addressing the media at the PELUM Uganda office in Ntinda, a Kampala suburb, today, April 30, 2024, ActionAid International Uganda (AAIU) Country Director, Xavier Ejoyi stated that they have realized that climate change is a key hindrance to poverty eradication.
“That is why for us, it becomes a justice issue and we believe it is not just about adaptation, it is also about justice,” he added.
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He emphasized that in order to eliminate poverty, “we must address the real causes”, namely the structural causes of climate change, which require justice to develop.
“Therefore our work leads to local efforts from the grassroots from the communities, working with organisations like MEMPROW, Viajana Corps and PELUM linking them to the national level making sure that we have the right policies, and strategies, accompanies by finances because climate justice is about finances, but also linking them at the global stage because climate change is not just a local issue,” Ejoyi noted.
In their joint statement, they stated that climate-related disasters, fueled by unsustainable practices and the persistent pursuit of profits, continue to destroy lives and livelihoods, thus a need for urgent action.
They noted that the effects of climate change have been witnessed, with communities facing increased temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and increased food insecurity, emphasizing that as the impacts worsen, “we must take urgent and decisive action to mitigate further harm and build resilience.”
Last year, ActionAid together with partners and allies throughout the world launched the fund our future campaign, a global call on financiers to redirect funding away from climate-destructive industries and fake climate solutions and towards renewable energy and agriculture solutions.
The campaign calls for an end to supporting fossil fuels as well as damaging industrial agriculture practices that endanger communities and ecosystems.
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According to an ActionAid study published last year (2023), banks fund investments that promote climate change 20 times more than those that provide climate solutions.
Climate Justice Week objectives
Ejoyi stated that the CJW aims to amplify the voices of climate change-vulnerable communities by providing a platform for them to share their experiences and perspectives, ensuring their voices are heard in climate change decision-making processes, and launching the “Future Our Fund” campaign to mobilize resources and support a transition to a more sustainable future based on renewable energy and agro-ecology.
Inform policy by disseminating research findings on Uganda’s readiness to access loss and damage funds, advocating for evidence-based policy decisions; facilitate dialogue and collaboration among government bodies, civil society organizations, academia, and the private sector solutions; and showcase locally led sustainable practices, catalyzing policy and practice change at the grassroots level.
Ejoyi noted that over US $460bn from banks and other financiers goes to funding fossil fuel-related investments which are the leading contributors to greenhouse gases.
He encouraged Governments to allocate more resources to the loss and damage fund.
Despite the international community pledging USD $700 million to the fund, developing countries need US $400bn annually to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Ejoyi noted that it is the reason why it is crucial for governments to prioritize funding for environmentally conscious activists to tackle these risks.
“But what is is going unnoticed is industrial agriculture, which relies on biomass and the eco-systems, which he says is the second contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
Moses Onen, the PELUM Advocacy Manager, stated that they are unsure whether the delegation succeeded its goal of campaigning for the US $4 million investment in green financing.
He stated that seven nations were prioritized for the US $400 million that should be allocated in the first round for loss and damage funding, with Uganda being one of them.
“This means if we divide this fairly then Uganda should be getting US $51.2m. So we still need to follow this space to see whether the discussion which is going on will result into the realization on the basis that there will be fairness and justice in the allocation of the initial monies that was put in that fund,” he noted.
Activities
Throughout the week, all partners will conduct various activities in ten districts to involve grassroots communities, including radio talk programs, tree planting events, and conversations.
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They include ActionAid International, PELUM Uganda, Vijana Corps, COTA and MEMPROW.
On May 16, 2024, they intend to hold a climate justice symposium, with various action including the launch of the Global Justice Campaign, advocating for sustainable industries, dissemination of the report on Uganda’s readiness to access the Loss and Damage Fund, promoting policy dialogue, showcasing locally led sustainable practices, showcasing agro-ecological solutions, and conducting a climate Walk.
Calls to action
Joshua Ijuka emphasized the need for swift implementation of environmental and climate protection laws, a shift from harmful industrial agriculture to renewable energy, and the inclusion of frontline communities in policy-making processes.
Sheila Apiny, the Nothern Regional Coordinator AAIU, said the private sector must invest responsibly, adopt ethical financing, prioritize community wellbeing, and engage in cooperative social responsibility, focusing on environmental impacts and fair labor practices.
The Global North is urged to provide adequate financing to support developing countries in climate adaptation, mitigation, and resilience, set emissions reduction targets, and strengthen global collaboration to collectively tackle climate change.
They urged the public join the conversation by following on social media @actionaiduganda and use hashtags #ClimateJusticeWeek #FundOurFuture.