Climate displacement and the relevance of climate justice: A trend analysis of South Africa, Zimbabwe, South Sudan and Liberia

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Date
2022
Authors
Jegede, Ademola Oluborode
Yeakula, Gerald Dan
Ater, Justin Monyping
Nare, Mosupatsila Mothohabonoe
Fengu, Zanele Christine
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Global Campus Human Rights
Abstract
Displacement is a major consequence of climate change being faced by populations in Africa, as shown in the experiences of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Liberia and South Sudan. As a response to the injustices and inequalities experienced by vulnerable communities, the concept of climate justice has featured in academic writings and international policy documents on climate change. However, its reflection and application in domestic legal frameworks to the specific situation of climate-induced internal displacement in Africa are scant in academic engagement. Using a doctrinal approach in engaging with existing writings and instruments on displacement and climate justice, the study interrogates the extent to which the legal framework in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Liberia and South Sudan may apply in achieving climate justice for displaced persons. The study demonstrates that whereas there is a recognition of climate justice as a legal response to climate-induced internal displacement in international law, much remains to be achieved in terms of the reflection and application of the existing legal framework at the domestic level. It then makes specific recommendations on how to strengthen existing instruments to achieve climate justice for displaced persons.
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Keywords
internally displaced persons, Africa, climatic changes, domestic and comparative law, South Africa, Zimbabwe, South Sudan, Liberia
Citation
Ademola Oluborode Jegede, Gerald Dan Yeakula, Sr., Justin Monyping Ater, Mosupatsila Mothohabonoe Nare and Zanele Christine Fengu. “Climate displacement and the relevance of climate justice: A trend analysis of South Africa, Zimbabwe, South Sudan and Liberia.” (2022) 6Global Campus Human Rights Journal http://doi.org/10.25330/2505
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