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<big>'''Climate Justice: Keeping the right to development in mind, how can the EU exercise its soft power to ensure a global commitment to tackle climate change, whilst safeguarding the rights of those affected most by its consequences?
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In August 2013 floods inundated up to one fifth of Pakistan and affected an estimated 20 million people.<ref>"5 natural disasters that beg for climate action", retrieved from: https://www.oxfam.org/en/campaigns/5-natural-disasters-beg-climate-action#</ref> In 2014, at least 14 extreme weather events were caused by human-induced climate change, including a deadly snowstorm in Nepal and a heat wave in Argentina that crashed power supplies. <ref>"Half of Weather Disasters Linked to Climate Change", retrieved from: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/11/151105-climate-weather-disasters-drought-storms/</ref> Climate change is real and it is affecting the life of millions with extreme weather events, threatening basic human rights. Coordinated and efficient International Cooperation are key to minimize human influence on climate, as well as to help developing countries - the most affected by climate change - deal with the unreal ammount of economical and social damages climate change has costed and will cost in the future.
'''Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions''', primarily due primarily to fossil fuel use, have increased dramatically, causing an increase in Earth’s average temperature. The impacts of this unprecedented warming – floods and drought, rising sea levels, spread of diseases such as malaria and dengue fever, increasing numbers of violent storms natural disasters – are to be more severe and imminent than previously believed and threaten fundamental human rights, including the rights to life, health, water, food, shelter, work and self-determination. In fact, vulnerable peoplesgroups, including women - which make up account 80% of global climate refugees -, children, disabled and indigenous peoples, are particularly at risk.
Sustainable Development is defined as the development that assists the '''needs of today''' without compromising the ability of the '''future generations''' also meeting their needs. This definition is based on two key concepts – '''needs''' of the poor and of those who can not meet their needs by themselves; and '''limitations''' to meet such needs such as the ones created by the environment, political and social circumstances and technologic advances. The actual objective of the sustainable development concept is balanced economic, social and environmental development and not defined solely in terms of economic growth. Sustainability policies in the field of climate change area have need to be centred on the principles of equity and future justice, - or how we can ensure that we have a future world to live in, without sacrificing the living standards of current generations, both developed and developing.
The Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR), in its March 2009 study on climate change and human rights.<ref>[https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G09/103/44/PDF/G0910344.pdf?OpenElement], “Report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the relationship between climate change and human rights”, retrieved from: https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G09/103/44/PDF/G0910344.pdf?OpenElement.</ref> noted that climate change is a global problem that can only be effectively addressed through '''international cooperation''', as it affects disproportionately poorer countries with the weakest ability to protect their citizens. It also emphasizes States’ obligations under international human rights law and the '''[[right to development]]''', proclaimed by the United Nations (UN) in the Declaration on the Right to Development, to protect individuals whose rights are affected by the impacts of climate change or by policies to address climate change. Yet, so far, '''governments and international cooperation have been unsuccessful in solving the climate change issue.'''
The idea that climate change is solely an environmental issue misses the bigger picture - '''climate change represents and perpetuates power imbalances across the world'''. The industrialised nations of the Global North emit about '''80%''' of global greenhouse gases, while developing nations from the Global South face the worst impacts, with global warming posing a threat to some southern vulnerable countries’ survival. So, the debate centers on the obligation of industrialized states - due to '''historical responsibility''' - and international organizations to provide development assistance to developing countries. The current controversy also focuses on the process of globalization, including the right and possibility of equal participation of developing countries in that process, and its relation to human rights. However, '''the climate change fight is difficult if only developed countries reduce their emissions'''. Developing countries, especially the most advanced ones, need to take a part too.
[[File:Climateimpacts.jpg|thumb|Climate Change Impact in 2050]]
Furthermore, although the UN has recognised the category of '''environmental and climate refugees''', they are not protected by international law and asylum systems, nor states in the European Union, several of which are currently closing their borders to refugees and building fences.
Developing countries '''lack the resources''' to address this new environmental and social threat that is climate change. Least developed countries are especially vulnerable, since their budget is stretched to meet basic needs, such as access to food, water, and housing.
'''Evaluating the effectiveness of international cooperation in addressing climate change is a complex undertaking.''' From the one perspective, the fact that countries are implementing the '''[[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change]]''', the '''[[Kyoto Protocol]]''' and the '''[[Paris Agreement]]''', three major international treaties on the topic, would suggest that they have sought to cooperate. From another point of view, if the duty to cooperate requires '''solutions to the climate change problem''', it could be regarded as a failure of countries to effectively cooperate the fact that the actual and impending consequences of climate change are increasing in intensity. In fact, it clearly shows the failure to arrive at a binding agreement providing for effective mitigation, adaptation and other climate measures.
'''<big>Stakeholders</big>'''
The key actors of this topic include the '''developing countries''', especially the four largest developing nations - '''Brazil, Russia, India and China''' (also called the '''BRIC’s'''). With a combined population of 3 billion people, the BRIC’s will have a huge impact on the future of climate change.
Not only do '''fossil fuels produce 90% of the Russia’s energy''' , they are also responsible for half of the government’s budget<ref>“Total Petroleum and Other Liquids Production – 2016”, retrieved from: https://www.eia.gov/beta/international/?fips=rs</ref>. Nevertheless, '''Russia could be seriously damaged by climate change''', which threatens around 2/3 of the Russian territory. With the tensions between Russia and the EU heating up because of the Ukrainian conflict and sanctions from the European Union, the US and others resulting in quid-pro-quo sanctions from Russia, including a ban on food imports from the EU, can the EU ensure a joint commitment to tackle climate change?
'''India''' suffers from '''resource scarcity''' on a level unlike any other nation and its '''pollution''' issues are rising to a very problematic level equal or worse than China.<ref>“SAFAR – India”, retrieved from: http://safar.tropmet.res.in/</ref> Besides, India’s '''population density''' makes any struggles the country has much more difficult. As a result, much of the sustainable development discussion in India has focused on inclusion and basic human rights’ development. Despite that, India is an example of many green companies and buildings being developed and could u'''se its underdevelopment to promote green development from the beginning.'''
In the meantime in '''Brazil, pollution, floods and natural disasters''' hit its peak while the environmentalists and governments’ fights against the '''deforestation''' of the Amazon forest continue. Furthermore, Brazil’s '''political instability''' raises the question on the future of its development policies.
'''China’s air pollution''' is one of the biggest environmental challenges seen today. China’s social, working and environmental policies are under the world’s scrutiny. The country is fighting pollution by enabling local governments to fine polluters on a daily basis until the problems are fixed and eliminating a cap on the fines. With green companies, projects and commitments growing, China has an '''opportunity to be a role model''' for the world – and to '''promote major market changes.'''
How can the '''EU influence''' these economic powers that are still now deciding between fossil fuels or clean energy and human rights or economic growth? We must also take into account that the path the BRIC’s choose now will also influence the future of the countries that are going to be in the spotlight of development soon, such as Colombia, Nepal, Indonesia and the Balkan countries.
Even though the '''EU and the United States of America''' are often seen as '''“the West”''' and in many levels share a set of common values and ideas, when it comes to climate justice, their ideas and policies vary widely. With the USA being the second largest GHG’s emitter - In 2015, U.S. greenhouse gas emissions totaled 6,587 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents – and with Trump's very well-known '''support of the fossil fuel industry''' and the recent drop out of the Paris Agreement, the '''USA environmental policy''' could severely weaken the chances of mitigating climate change.
On an International level, the '''Conference of the Parties (COP)''' is the supreme decision-making body of the [[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)|UNFCCC]]. All States that are Parties to the Convention are represented at the COP. They '''review the implementation''' of the Convention and any other legal instruments and take decisions necessary to '''promote the effective implementation''' of the Convention, including institutional and administrative arrangements.
The '''Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)''' promotes policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world. One of its main focuses is to foster and support new sources of growth through innovation, environmentally friendly ‘green growth’ strategies and the development of emerging economies.<ref>"The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development", retrieved from: http://www.oecd.org/about/ </ref> The OECD has issued a conservative estimate that its member states give the fossil fuels' industry support worth $160-200bn each year.<ref>Article “Vulnerable nations call on G20 to end fossil fuel subsidies by 2020”, retrieved from: http://www.climatechangenews.com/2017/04/24/vulnerable-nations-call-g20-end-fossil-fuel-subsidies-2020/</ref> Another major international body on climate change is '''The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)''', responsible for assessing the science related to climate change.
On an European level, '''The European Economic and Social Committee''' is a '''consultative body of the European Union''' and has one specific institution that focuses on sustainability - the [[Sustainable Development Observatory]]. The [[Sustainable Development Observatory]] responds to the need for a '''coherent approach to sustainable development''', including social, environmental and economic dimensions through hearings, conferences, exchange of best practice, local workshops and actions and impact studies.
- [[European Commission]]
- Climate vulnerable countries
- G20
The '''[[UN 2030 agenda for sustainable development|UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development]]''' comprising a set of '''17 Sustainable Development Goals''' has entered into force in January 2016. In order It plans to achieve these goals the first step is the '''mapping exercise end all forms of external policies''', and needs to be flanked by a detailed and comprehensive gap analysis and assessment in order to identify the real gaps that exist between current external policies and programmes and the future ones that should fully include, mainstream and integrate, in a balanced and fair way, the economicpoverty, social fight inequalities and environmental pillars of the 2030 Agendatackle climate change. For To achieve this, the EU needs to make civil society organisations in third countries '''real partners in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.''' The [[European Commission]] it has drafted established a document establishing the '''priorities, policies, funds and other actions''' cover all set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals and making sure they provide a '''significant contribution''' to their implementation, both within the EU and through EU external action.<ref>“Key European action supporting the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals”, retrieved from: http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/sites/devco/files/swd-key-european-actions-2030-agenda-sdgs-390-20161122_en.pdf </ref>
Furthermore, globally, three '''International Treaties to tackle climate change''' have been established. The [[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)]] has near universal membership and is the parent treaty of the [[Kyoto Protocol]] and the [[Paris Agreement]]. The ultimate objective of the treaties is to stabilize greenhouse gas GHG's concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that will minimise dangerous human interference with the climate system - currently set in maintaining the temperature rise below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels.
<ref>"United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change", retrieved from http://newsroom.unfccc.int/ )</ref>
The [[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change|UNFCCC]] also has an operating entity of the financial mechanism on an ongoing basis - '''The Global Environment Facility'''. This entity also '''manages two special funds''' established by the Parties: the '''Special Climate Change Fund'''; and the '''Least Developed Country Fund'''.<ref>"The Global Environmental Facility", retrieved from: http://www.thegef.org/about-us</ref> Similarly and emphasizing the importance of monetary aid to the most affected countries by climate change, a number of international organizations are actively engaged in administering and/or operating climate change funds, including the '''United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)''', the '''United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)''', and the U'''nited Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN-ISDR)'''. Also, a number of multilateral development banks have set up dedicated funds to address climate change. The EU is the largest contributor of climate financing and it still aims to scale up climate financing with the goal of 20% of its budget being spent on climate action by 2020. <ref>Article “Financing Adaptation”, retrieved from: https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/adaptation/financing_en</ref>
The [[European Commission]] has developed the '''Organisation for Economic Co2050 low-operation and Development (OECD)carbon roadmap''' promote , that aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions to 80% below 1990 levels.<ref>"2050 low-carbon roadmap", retrieved from: https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies that will improve /strategies/2050_en</ref> The EU has set itself targets to put itself on the way to achieve the economic and social welltransformation towards a low-being of people around carbon economy as detailed in the world'''2050 low-carbon roadmap'''. One of These targets aim to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions progressively up to 2050. The roadmap sets out a '''cost-efficient pathway to reach the 80% target by 2050''' through actions in all main focuses sectors, concluding it is to foster feasible and support new sources of growth through cost-effective in the long run, as long as innovationand investments are present. [[File:Targets.png|thumb|Image 3 - Possible 80% cut in greenhouse gas emissions in the EU]] The EU leaders have also established the [[2020 climate and energy package]] in 2007, environmentally friendly ‘green growth’ strategies that have become '''legally binding''' under EU law in 2009. This package is meant to ensure that the EU meets its 2020 targets for energy and climate targets - 20% cut in GHG’s emissions, 20% renewable energy in the development of emerging economiesEU and 20% energy efficiency improvement.<ref>"The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development2020 climate & energy package", retrieved from: httphttps://wwwec.oecdeuropa.orgeu/clima/aboutpolicies/ strategies/2020_en</ref> The OECD Building on the [[2020 climate and energy package]], the EU has issued a conservative estimate that its member states give also established the fossil fuels' industry support worth $160''2030 climate and energy framework''' with the goal of approaching a low carbon economy -200bn each year40% cut in GHG’s emissions, 27% renewable energy in the EU and 27% energy efficiency improvement.<ref>Article “Vulnerable nations call on G20 to end fossil fuel subsidies by 2020”"2030 climate & energy framework", retrieved from: httphttps://wwwec.climatechangenewseuropa.comeu/2017clima/04policies/24/vulnerable-nations-call-g20-end-fossil-fuel-subsidies-2020strategies/2030_en </ref> Another major international body on climate change is <big>'''The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)Opportunities''', responsible for assessing the science related to climate change.</big>
The '''EU’s stance''' on climate justice is that financial support to developing countries should be based on '''"low carbon development strategies"''' developed by them. These should set out which measures a country can take without additional financial and technical assistance. The [[European Commission]] has also proposes that developed countries can contribute via the use of '''2050 low-carbon roadmapcrediting mechanisms and public funding''', that aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions to 80% below 1990 . Public financial contributions should be based on emission levels.and each country’s economic capability<ref>"2050 low-carbon roadmapClimate action", retrieved from: https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/strategiesinternational/2050_encooperation_en</ref> The EU has set itself targets to put itself on the way to achieve the transformation towards a low-carbon economy as detailed in the '''2050 low-carbon roadmap'''. These targets aim to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions progressively up to 2050. The roadmap sets out a '''cost-efficient pathway to reach the 80% target by 2050''' through actions in all main sectors, concluding it is feasible and cost-effective in the long run, as long as innovation and investments are present.