The Urgent Link Between Climate Justice and Reparations for Colonialism
For decades, the conversation around climate change has largely overlooked a critical past context: colonialism. As the world grapples with increasingly severe climate impacts, particularly in Africa, its becoming undeniable that the roots of this crisis are deeply intertwined with centuries of exploitation and injustice.Ignoring this connection hinders true climate justice and perpetuates a system where those least responsible for the problem bear the brunt of its consequences.
The ICJ’s Missed Chance
Recently, the International court of Justice (ICJ) addressed requests for advisory opinions related to climate change. While acknowledging the threat, the court notably sidestepped the historical obligation of colonial powers in contributing to the crisis. This silence speaks volumes.
As observed by experts, “the greatest barrier to reparations for colonialism and slavery is that the principal beneficiaries of both lack the political will and moral courage to make them a reality.” This lack of courage was evident in the ICJ’s reluctance to directly address the legacy of colonialism.
A Turning Point for the African Court?
Now, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights has a pivotal opportunity. Since May 2025,the court has been reviewing a request for an advisory opinion on the human rights obligations of African states in the context of climate change. This isn’t simply a legal procedure; it’s a chance to rewrite the narrative.
Human rights advocates are strategically emphasizing the link between climate change and colonialism in their submissions. This is a moment for the African Court to articulate what the ICJ wouldn’t: that climate justice is reparative justice.
Why This Matters: The Intersecting Harms
Consider the plight of communities like the Antandroy in Madagascar. They are experiencing the devastating effects of climate change – droughts, famine, displacement – while together bearing the weight of a colonial past that stripped them of resources and agency.
This isn’t an isolated case. Across the African continent, communities are facing intersecting harms stemming from both historical injustices and the accelerating climate crisis. A strong stance from the African Court would:
* Expose the historical roots of climate vulnerability.
* Give voice to those disproportionately affected.
* Provide a legal framework for seeking redress.
aligning with Africa’s Reparations Agenda
The African Court’s decision aligns with the African commission’s 2022 Resolution on Africa’s Reparations Agenda. This resolution provides a clear mechanism for African states to pursue justice for the legacies of:
* The transatlantic trade and trafficking of enslaved Africans.
* Colonialism and its associated crimes.
* Racial segregation.
By acknowledging the link between climate change and colonialism,the court can empower African states to actively pursue these reparations. It could even encourage a return to the ICJ, offering the world court a chance to correct its course.
What This Means for you
As individuals concerned with justice and sustainability, you can support this movement by:
* Staying informed: Follow the proceedings of the African Court and share information with your networks.
* Advocating for policy changes: Urge your governments to support reparations initiatives and prioritize climate justice.
* Amplifying African voices: Center the perspectives of those moast affected by climate change and colonialism.
The African Court’s decision represents a critical juncture. It’s a chance to move beyond rhetoric and towards a truly just and equitable future – one where the harms of the past are acknowledged, and the burdens of the present are shared fairly.
This opinion piece originally appeared on Al Jazeera.
About the Authors:
* Nciko wa Nciko: Amnesty International Climate Justice Advisor in East and Southern Africa and its lead advisor on human rights in Madagascar.
* Samrawit Getaneh: Legal researcher at the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, and focal person for climate change.