Climate justice refers to the ethical and political concept that links climate change to issues of social justice, human rights, and inequality. While climate change is a global crisis, its impacts are not evenly distributed. Vulnerable populations—especially those in developing countries—often suffer the most, despite having contributed the least to greenhouse gas emissions. This disparity has given rise to the demand for “climate justice,” which emphasizes fairness, accountability, and equity in addressing climate change.
Climate justice seeks to ensure that those most affected by climate change are included in the decision-making processes and that historical responsibility is acknowledged. It also calls for financial and technological support for developing nations, enabling them to adapt to climate change and transition to low-carbon economies without compromising development goals.
Geographical exposure: Many developing nations are located in tropical and subtropical regions, making them more susceptible to climate-related events like cyclones, droughts, and floods.
Economic dependence on climate-sensitive sectors: Agriculture, fisheries, and forestry are crucial to these economies and are highly affected by climate variability.
Limited adaptive capacity: Weak infrastructure, poor healthcare, and limited access to technology make it harder for these countries to respond effectively to climate disasters.
Developed nations have emitted the bulk of historical carbon dioxide since the Industrial Revolution.
Per capita emissions in developing nations are still significantly lower than those in industrialized countries.
The principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” (CBDR) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) reinforces this idea and underlines the need for fair burden-sharing.
Developing countries are still working to achieve basic development goals like poverty eradication, education, and healthcare.
These goals often require increased energy access, which has traditionally relied on fossil fuels.
Climate justice advocates that the global transition to clean energy must not hinder the development prospects of the Global South.
The Paris Agreement (2015) recognizes the importance of climate justice and calls for “climate action in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication.”
It encourages developed countries to provide financial resources ($100 billion per year goal), capacity-building, and technology transfer to support developing countries.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) also stresses that global climate action must be inclusive and equitable to be effective.
Climate justice demands climate finance not as charity, but as a form of reparation for historical emissions.
Technology transfer is crucial for helping developing countries adopt renewable energy, improve disaster resilience, and adapt agricultural systems.
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is one mechanism created to channel such support, although its funding has often fallen short of targets.
Developing nations often lack strong representation in global climate negotiations.
Ensuring their voices are heard is essential for fair agreements that address the specific needs and capacities of different countries.
Inclusive decision-making also strengthens the legitimacy and success of global climate action.
Climate justice is not just a moral or ethical imperative—it is a strategic necessity for effective global climate action. Without addressing the unique vulnerabilities and development challenges of the Global South, efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change will fall short. For developing nations, climate justice is about survival, equity, and the right to a sustainable future. Ensuring fair access to climate finance, technology, and representation is essential to creating a truly inclusive and just global response to the climate crisis.