Hundreds of environmental and human rights groups have urged COP30 Climate Reparations to be at the centre of talks in Brazil. Activists say colonialism and slavery created global inequalities and worsened climate impacts. They want justice for communities least responsible for climate change but hardest hit. The letter calls on rich nations to lead climate funding and reparations efforts.
Hundreds of environmental and human rights groups have signed a letter urging COP30 Climate Reparations to be a central issue at the UN climate summit in Brazil this November. Activists argue that colonialism and slavery created deep global inequalities and worsened the climate crisis. They want justice for communities with minimal emissions but maximum suffering from disasters.
The letter calls on Brazil and global leaders to highlight the link between climate justice and historical reparations. It points to legal opinions from international courts saying industrialised nations must take the lead in tackling climate change due to historical responsibility.
Despite past pledges like the Paris Agreement, financial commitments from rich nations still fall short of the trillions needed for loss and damage funding. Developing countries continue to demand adequate resources to fight extreme weather impacts. Support for reparations is growing globally as severe floods, heatwaves and food price spikes affect millions. Critics however argue modern governments should not be forced to pay for historical crimes.
