The COP29 conference in Azerbaijan (November 2024) must focus on holding corporations and nations accountable for greenhouse gas emissions through the “polluter pays” principle. Despite its theoretical acceptance, practical application has been inconsistent, leaving the most vulnerable nations to bear the costs. With rising global temperatures highlighting the urgency of emissions reduction, COP29 is a critical opportunity to implement robust measures that enforce accountability. This includes ending fossil fuel subsidies, introducing carbon taxation, and supporting legal frameworks for climate reparations.
The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29), scheduled for November 2024 in Azerbaijan, represents a pivotal moment in the global effort to combat climate change. It is imperative that this conference concentrates on enforcing accountability for greenhouse gas emissions by corporations and nations. The “polluter pays” principle, which mandates that those responsible for pollution incur the associated costs to mitigate its impact on human health and the environment, has long been a topic of climate discussions. Unfortunately, while this principle is widely acknowledged, its practical application remains inconsistent, allowing major polluters to evade significant financial consequences for their environmental destruction. Countries that contribute minimally to global emissions, particularly those in the developing world, disproportionately shoulder the burdens of climate adaptation and mitigation. The urgency of this issue is evident as global temperatures exceed 2°C above pre-industrial levels for the first time, posing catastrophic risks, especially to regions like Africa, predicted to incur annual costs of up to $50 billion due to unchecked emissions. With such dire projections, COP29 must demonstrate unwavering political commitment to achieve essential emission reductions. Experts, including a professor of environmental science who has deeply engaged in researching fossil fuel pollution in South Africa, advocate that COP29 should implement robust mechanisms to hold polluters accountable for their carbon footprints. Effective solutions would include establishing emissions taxes, imposing penalties for historical environmental damage, and enabling judicial avenues for affected communities to seek reparations for climate-related injuries. Past COPs have made significant strides in setting climate goals, yet they often lacked the binding enforcement mechanisms necessary to compel compliance. The Paris Agreement, while establishing a universal commitment to limit global warming, falls short as it allows voluntary, non-penalized postponements of emission reductions. For instance, the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris framework in 2017 highlighted the weaknesses of this non-binding approach. To rectify these shortcomings, COP29 could champion several key initiatives aimed at bolstering the “polluter pays” principle. Firstly, it should advocate for the cessation of fossil fuel subsidies, which, at $7 trillion globally in 2022, promote continual greenhouse gas emissions. Secondly, the conference should seek to create mandatory climate finance liability structures, compelling corporations responsible for emissions to fund reparative initiatives.Tangible models could be adapted from environmental liability frameworks used for oil spills, obligating entities to compensate affected areas adequately. Further, an expansion of carbon pricing mechanisms that accurately reflect the true costs of emissions is crucial. Carbon taxes, such as Sweden’s, which levies €116.33 ($137) per ton of emissions, have effectively incentivized pollution reductions. Conversely, cap-and-trade systems should be reconsidered, as they have often failed to produce substantial reductions and have entrenched inequities in environmental impacts. Legal accountability is another area where COP29 can effect change by reinforcing existing international legal frameworks to enable climate-damaging entities to face litigation. Recent legal precedents affirming corporate liability for emissions, such as a ruling against Royal Dutch Shell, can inspire more such accountability measures. Moreover, stricter regulations for corporate financial transparency regarding environmental impacts are necessary, enabling governments and bodies to identify major polluters and enforce reparations effectively. Fossil fuel companies should also be made accountable for their historical emissions through contributions to a global climate reparations fund. In summary, COP29 stands as a critical juncture for enforcing accountability among greenhouse gas emitters. Establishing firm mechanisms demanding financial contributions from high-emission nations and corporations is vital for funding climate adaptation and mitigation efforts in vulnerable communities. The conference’s success hinges on global commitment to principles of justice, equity, and transparency, ensuring that the responsibility for climate change does not disproportionately impact those least culpable, particularly nations within Africa.
The upcoming COP29 aims to address the urgent need for accountability in climate change efforts by enforcing the “polluter pays” principle, which requires polluters to cover the costs associated with their emissions. Despite broad acceptance of this principle, it has not been consistently applied in practice. This lack of enforcement has placed a heavier burden on developing nations, which contribute the least to global emissions but face the most significant costs related to climate adaptation and mitigation. With global temperatures reaching critical levels, the stakes have never been higher, emphasizing the need for effective solutions to curb emissions and offset damage.
COP29 represents a crucial opportunity for the international community to enforce accountability among major polluters. By implementing strict measures such as cessation of fossil fuel subsidies, establishing climate liability frameworks, and enhancing legal recourse for affected parties, this conference has the potential to drive meaningful progress in combating climate change. Ensuring that high-emission nations and corporations contribute to climate adaptation and mitigation efforts will promote climate justice and alleviate the burdens faced by vulnerable populations, particularly in Africa.
Original Source: theconversation.com
