Advocacy paper for COP 27

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BACKGROUND

We are in the midst of a climate crisis whose impacts are multiple and, according to the latest IPCC report, even more rapid and profound than anticipated. Desertification, melting glaciers, rising sea levels, flooding, loss of biodiversity, droughts, storms and heat waves, to name a few, directly affect the lives of people around the world. Everyone’s contribution to this crisis, however, has not been equal. And some are much more vulnerable to its impacts.

Responsibility lies largely on the shoulders of northern countries, such as Canada, which have generated the vast majority of the greenhouse gases (GHGs) that have caused climate change.  Paradoxically—and deeply unfairly—those suffering the worst consequences are generally those who have contributed the least, in other words, people living in the global South. Africa as a whole, for example, is responsible for only 3.8% of greenhouse gases, but suffers the brunt of its consequences. Beyond the countries themselves, is the problem of the capitalist system and its expansion from the exploitation of nature and populations, and the destruction of the environment for profit.

Some groups are more vulnerable than others to the impacts of climate change. While we are all facing the same storm, we are not all in the same boat, as the saying goes. Systems of oppression, such as patriarchy, colonialism and racism, among others, partly explain the increased vulnerability of certain groups (women, colonized peoples, racialized peoples) to the impacts of the climate crisis and must be considered, along with capitalism, among the causes of this crisis. These groups, and, especially, the young, are not passive victims in this story, however, but rather actors of change who bring concrete solutions.

AQOCI approaches these issues from a climate justice perspective, i.e. by considering that the climate crisis is not only an environmental problem, but also, a complex social justice problem, with the populations that are most vulnerable to its effects at its centre. To promote greater climate justice, AQOCI conducts various types of actions, particularly in the context of international climate conferences, the COPs.

In the lead-up to COP 27, which will take place in Egypt in November 2022, AQOCI invited members of its environmental community of practice, the Comité québécois femmes et développement (CQFD), its youth international solidarity coordinating committee [Table de concertation jeunesse en solidarité internationale (TCJSI)], as well as its youth delegation to COP 27 to identify a list of demands to be addressed to the governments of the North, Canada and Québec.

SUMMARY

In the context of COP 27, which will take place from November 6 to 18 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, AQOCI is asking the States that have contributed the most to the climate crisis, including the Canadian and Québec governments, to do their fair share and take measures to promote greater climate justice, in particular for the populations most affected by climate change, such as the populations of the South, youth, women, Indigenous peoples, racialized communities, workers, LGBTQI2I people, people living with disabilities and climate migrants.

AQOCI hopes that significant progress will be made between now and COP28 on these four demands: 

Human Rights

Respect, protect and fulfill all human rights, including the right to a healthy environment, specifically taking into account populations most affected by climate change.

Governance

Ensure greater representation in all climate governance bodies of populations most affected by climate change.

Funding

Increase funding specifically for initiatives by and for populations most affected by climate change.

Accountability

Demonstrate greater accountability to the least responsible states that are most affected by climate change.

POLITICAL DEMANDS

1. Human Rights

Respect, protect and fulfill all human rights, including the right to a healthy environment, specifically taking into account populations most affected by climate change

Given that:

• Environmental degradation, climate change, biodiversity loss, desertification and unsustainable development are among the most urgent and serious threats to the ability of present and future generations to effectively enjoy all human rights.
• The United Nations General Assembly declared on July 28, 2022, that all people in the world have the right to a healthy environment and that States have an obligation to respect, protect and promote human rights, including in any action taken to remedy environmental problems.
• The human rights of certain populations particularly affected by climate change are violated by the States’ current management of the climate crisis.
• Although more than 16 million people migrated in 2018 due to climate-related extreme events and it is estimated that this number will reach 200 million by 2050, international law currently provides no special legal status for climate migrants.
• The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emphasized, in its report published in March 2022, that taking into account Indigenous communities and their knowledge is now essential to limit the long-term impacts of climate change. Their practices and knowledge reflect a long history of adaptation and a deep understanding of local ecosystems.[1]
• In many countries, the populations most impacted by climate change are largely dependent on natural resources for their survival, including water, sources of food and energy for cooking and heating. The effects of climate change, including droughts, rainfall uncertainty and deforestation, are making the supply of these resources more difficult.[2]
• The number of people facing food insecurity increased from 135 million in 2019 to 345 million in 2022.[3]

AQOCI has the following demands:

To all States

• Add the obligation to respect, protect and fulfill human rights, including the rights of Indigenous peoples, to the final wording of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on Carbon Trading Mechanisms.[4]
• Formally recognize climate refugee status in international law.
• Recognize the complementarity of local, traditional and scientific knowledge.

To the government of Canada

• Include the right to a healthy environment in the Constitution.
• Respect the principle of intergenerational equity in all climate policies and programs.
• Develop a settlement plan for climate refugees in Canada, including measures to ensure their safety and integration.

2. Governance

Ensure greater representation in all climate governance bodies of populations most affected by climate change

Given that:

• Only 13% of delegation heads were women at the 2021 COP and, at the current rate, gender parity in national delegations to the COP will not be achieved until 2040.[5]
• Youth, women, Indigenous people, members of racialized communities, and LGBTQI2I people are important actors of change, and are mobilizing for climate and ecological justice.
• Comprising less than 5% of the world’s population, Indigenous peoples protect 80% of the world’s biodiversity and occupy lands that make up about 20% of the Earth’s territory, while containing 80% of the world’s remaining biodiversity, a sign that Indigenous peoples are effective stewards of the environment.[6]
• Women are major actors in climate-related action.[7]
• Gender and sexual minorities demonstrate a wide range of unique resources, skills, and knowledge when it comes to addressing climate impacts.[8]

AQOCI demands:

To all States

• Support the active participation of these populations in the development and implementation of climate policies:
• Provide support so that they are present, but also effective in governance and negotiations.
• Empower these communities by recognizing them as key players and supporting them in the organizations with human, financial, capacity building and training resources.
• Ensure that at least 50% of all these populations are represented in international climate negotiation bodies such as the UNFCCC.[9]

To the government of Canada and government of Québec

• Support the active participation—as women’s participation is promoted—of other groups most affected by climate change in decision-making and negotiating forums for climate action (including youth, Indigenous peoples, racialized communities, workers, LGBTQ2I people, people living with disabilities).
• Establish advisory committees of these groups to advise and guide Canada’s and Québec’s international climate action.

3. Funding

Increase funding specifically for initiatives by and for populations most affected by climate change

Given that:

Globally

• The estimated annual costs for adaptation in the South are around $70 billion, but could reach $300 billion by 2030. Only 21% of international climate change funding is dedicated to adaptation and resilience.[10]
• Southern countries will bear about 75% of the costs of global climate impacts, even though they are historically responsible for only 10% of carbon emissions.[11]
• The IPCC report on mitigation published in March 2022 found that to meet the estimated needs for mitigation alone, climate finance flows would need to increase by a factor of 4-8 in the South and by a factor of 2-5 in the North.[12]
• There is sufficient global capital and liquidity to fill the investment gap, given the size of the global financial system, but there are barriers to redirecting capital to climate action.[13]
• Estimated costs of loss and damage by 2030 range from $290 billion to over $580 billion.[14]
• Northern countries’ funding promises have not been fulfilled so far.
• Projects with gender equality as their main objective, including projects implemented by women’s rights organizations, are non-existent in climate financing.[15]
• Sustainable agriculture contributes to both climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.[16]
• Agroecology and agrobiodiversity offer promising strategies for reducing the risks of climate variation in food security and agriculture programs.[17]
• Fueled by conflict, climate shocks and COVID-19, the crisis is intensifying as the war in Ukraine drives up food, fuel and fertilizer costs. Environmental degradation, conflict and inequality are weakening the food system and pushing more people in vulnerable regions into hunger and poverty.

In Canada

• In 2021, Canada announced that it would double its participation in international climate finance from $2.65 billion (2015-2021) to $5.3 billion (2021-2026).[18]
• Until 2019-20, just 9% of Canadian climate finance had been channeled through civil society organizations, and 84% had been channeled through multilateral organizations and development banks. Given the very specific context of climate vulnerabilities, recent assessments have emphasized the importance of engaging local actors—community organizations and local governments—in achieving an effective adaptation program.[19]
• Approximately 70% of Canada’s previous climate financing came in the form of loans, and only 30% in the form of grants, further indebting countries vulnerable to climate change.[20]

AQOCI demands:

To all States

• Retroactively fulfill the pledge of $100 billion per year from 2020 to 2025 in order to promote climate justice and help finance the losses and damages of vulnerable countries and victims of climate change.
• Of that $100 billion:
• ensure that at least 50% is dedicated to adaptation.[21]
• ensure that at least 75% is in the form of grants, not loans.[22]
• Earmark additional and complementary sums for loss and damage in countries vulnerable to climate change, based on annual contributions founded on historical responsibility, and make them rapidly available to countries suffering from the impacts of climate change.
• Empower civil society and other local actors by rethinking how climate finance is delivered.
• Ensure the post-2025 funding cycle, taking into consideration the above recommendations for the previous cycle, and include groups in vulnerable situations in the co-construction of mechanisms.
• Make new investments to strengthen food systems, address the immediate challenge of hunger and rising food prices, and provide emergency support to citizens and farmers.
• Encourage and support, with human and financial resources, agroecological and sustainable agriculture practices, which contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation.

To the governments of Canada and Québec

• Increase climate action funding to Canada and Québec’s fair share.
• Support and contribute to the creation of a funding mechanism for loss and damage.
• Encourage more inclusive calls for proposals that allow Canadian civil society organizations of various sizes to work with local partners to develop projects that genuinely address the greatest challenges facing these communities.[23]

4. Accountability

Ensure greater accountability on the part of the States mainly responsible for climate change towards the States that are less responsible but more affected.

Given that:

Globally

• Climate justice establishes a causal link between different sources of inequality, the unfavourable socio-economic conditions of the countries of the South, and their high vulnerability to climate change.[24]
• These inequalities impose a moral duty on the countries of the North towards their counterparts in the South: to mobilize the necessary resources so that they have the same means with which to fight climate change. [25]
• International cooperation plays a key role in helping countries of the South, which face particular challenges, to build their human, institutional and technological capacities.[26]

In Canada

• Canada’s current climate policies are grossly inadequate to limit average global warming to 1.5°C, and instead put us on a path to catastrophic warming of between 3°C and 4°C; and Canada is a major contributor to global warming.[27]
• Many Canadian companies profit from foreign operations at the expense of local people and the planet, including forced labour, irreversible contamination of land and waterways, violation of human rights, and subjugation or forced displacement of populations to make way for economic activities. [28]

AQOCI demands:

To all States

• Accelerate the just transition to renewable energies and support the countries of the South in this transition.
• End the sovereign debt crisis in the South and promote debt justice. Redirect public resources from predatory, illegitimate and colonial borrowing to climate action and public services.[29]
• End corporate influence and capture of global public goods and service provision by focusing on human rights and the accountability of private capital.[30]

To the government of Canada

• Enact a Canadian overseas corporate duty of care law that would require Canadian companies to prevent human rights and environmental abuses throughout their global operations and supply chains.
• To do its fair share, Canada should reduce its greenhouse gas emissions from now until 2030 by 60% compared to 2005 levels to reach net zero emissions as soon as possible before 2050.[31]

To the government of Québec

• Increase its greenhouse gas reduction target to reflect its fair share in the fight against climate change.

GLOSSARY

Colonialism: Colonization refers to the appropriation, invasion, and physical occupation of the territory of one people by another in order to extract resources, establish settlements, and transform the cultural practices and lifestyles of the colonized people. Colonialism is the ideology by which the practice of colonization is legitimized by colonial forces. A system of thought, colonialism allowed colonizers to justify the exploitation and domination of colonized peoples on the basis of an alleged moral, cultural, racial and economic superiority. Unlike the practice of colonization, which is almost a thing of the past, colonialism is still with us today, especially when it comes to imposing a binding external agenda aimed at destroying cultural values or social structures, reproducing « racial » hierarchies through practices and discourse, and delegitimizing a community’s knowledge (AQOCI, international solidarity glossary^[1]).

Corporate duty of care: A process for identifying, preventing, and mitigating the actual and potential negative impacts of companies’ activities, supply chains, and business relationships. This process also provides accountability for how these impacts, in terms of human and environmental rights, for example, are addressed (OECD, 2018) (OCDE, 2018).

Right to a healthy environment: Everyone should be able to live in an environment conducive to their health and well-being. A healthy environment is considered a prerequisite for the attainment of other human rights, including the right to life, food, health and an adequate standard of living. (Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment).

Intergenerational equity: Younger generations, especially upcoming generations, have contributed relatively little to climate change. However, because of their life expectancy, they are the ones who will suffer most of the consequences. (Journées québécoises de la coopération internationale).

Intersectionality: Intersectionality is an analytical tool for understanding the intersection of multiple systems of oppression and identity factors. For instance, patriarchy alone cannot explain the simultaneous oppressions suffered by many women. Systems of oppression build on each other while remaining distinct. These systems must therefore be fought simultaneously and should not be prioritized. The intersectional approach analyzes the intersecting effects that can affect a person’s life based on ethno-cultural background, social class, caste, age, disability status, gender identity or sexual orientation, etc. It recognizes that different oppressions are experienced simultaneously and are inseparable from one another. It also implies being aware of one’s own privileges. Intersectionality refers to an inclusive feminism that takes into account the realities of all women.

Climate justice: Climate justice means addressing the climate crisis, not only as an environmental issue, but as a complex social justice issue, with a focus on those most vulnerable to its effects. This means addressing the root causes of the climate crisis, including patterns of production, consumption and trade agreements, while making progress on equity and the protection and realization of human rights (AQOCI, Pour une justice climatique féministe).

Intersectional feminist climate justice: Feminist climate justice means addressing climate change as a complex social issue and through an intersectional gender analysis of unequal power relations based on gender and other characteristics, such as socio-economic status, race, ethnicity, nationality, ability, sexual orientation, age, etc. This type of analysis focuses on the root causes of inequalities, the transformation of power relations and the promotion of women’s rights. (AQOCI, Pour une justice climatique féministe).

Populations most affected by climate change: Climate change, whose causes and effects are unevenly distributed around the world, poses a particular threat to the rights of certain countries and social groups. Populations in the South, women, youth, Indigenous peoples, racialized communities, LGBTQI2I people, climate migrants, workers, and people living with disabilities are among the populations most affected by climate change.

Systemic racism: Systemic racism is: [Translation] « a set of economic, political, and cultural structures, actions, and beliefs that systematize and perpetuate the unequal distribution of privilege, resources, and power among white people and people of colour (racialized) » (Hillard as cited in League for Rights and Freedoms, 2017). The « systemic » dimension of this form of racism indicates that it is embedded in the organization of society, i.e., in institutions as well as in attitudes and practices imbued with prejudice and stereotypes, and that it is perpetuated over time. (AQOCI, international solidarity glossary^[2]).

Accountability:  States have the primary responsibility to respect, ensure respect for and promote human rights recognized in both international and domestic law, and to prevent violations of these rights, ensuring also that transnational corporations and other business enterprises respect these rights. (Human Rights Library, 2003).

Patriarchal society: Structures and practices of a society that institutionalize male power (physical, social, economic, etc.) over women. (Oxfam International, Conceptual framework and Strategies, 2008.)

Food sovereignty: The right of peoples to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced in a sustainable manner, and their right to define their own agricultural and food systems. It promotes a sustainable, small-scale production model that benefits communities and their environment. Food sovereignty prioritizes local food production and consumption. It recognizes the right of countries to protect their local producers from cheap imports and to control their production. (Via Campesina).

Just transition: Just transition is a collective and voluntary progression towards a model of society that is resource, energy and carbon efficient and allows the needs of citizens to be met in a sustainable, equitable and safe manner (for humans and their environment). It is the implementation of a collective project comprising a set of principles, processes and practices that allow us to respond simultaneously to the two greatest challenges of this century: environmental protection and social justice (Mouvement Actes).

^[1]  AQOCI is currently updating its international solidarity glossary, which will include the terms colonialism and systemic racism. The glossary should be available by July 2023.

^[2] Ibid.

SOURCES

[1] IPCC. 20022. Online: https://www.ipcc.ch/languages-2/francais/ (accessed 25 October 2022).

[2] Canada. 2018. “Sommet du leadership sur les changements climatiques : les femmes en action pour le climat Sommaire de la présidente.” Online: https://www.canada.ca/fr/environnement-changement-climatique/nouvelles/2018/05/sommet-du-leadership-sur-les-changements-climatiques–les-femmes-en-action-pour-le-climat-sommaire-de-la-presidente.html (accessed 25 October 2022).

[3] World Food Program, 2022. “2022, une année de faim sans precedent.” Online: https://fr.wfp.org/global-hunger-crisis (accessed 26 October 2022).

[4] Amnesty International, 2021. “Recommandation aux États en vue de la COP26 pour une action respectueuse des droits humains.”  Online: https://amnistie.ca/sinformer/2021/international/recommandations-aux-etats-en-vue-de-la-cop26-pour-une-action (accessed 26 October 2022).

[5] We Do, 2022. “Women’s participation in the UNFCCC : 2022 report.” Online: https://wedo.org/womens-participation-in-the-unfccc-2022-report/ (accessed 26 October 2022).

[6] International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2022. “Indigenous people: Defending an Environment for All.” (accessed 26 October 2022).

[7] Government of Canada, 2021. ÉLes femmes et les changements climatiques.” Online: https://www.canada.ca/fr/environnement-changement-climatique/services/changements-climatiques/femmes.html (accessed 26 October 2022).

[8] Stockholm Environment Institute, 2021. “Climate justice means involving gender and sexual minorities in policy and action.”  Online: https://www.sei.org/perspectives/climate-justice-gender-sexual-minorities/ (accessed 26 October 2022).

[9] We Do, 2022. “Women’s participation in the UNFCCC: 2022 report.” Online: https://wedo.org/womens-participation-in-the-unfccc-2022-report/ (accessed 26 October 2022).

[10] UNEP, 2020. “Rapport 2020 sur l’écart entre les besoins et les perspectives en matière d’adaptation.” Online: https://www.unep.org/fr/resources/rapport-2020-sur-lecart-entre-les-besoins-et-les-perspectives-en-matiere-dadaptation (accessed 26 October 2022).

[11] Canadian Coalition on Climate Change and Development, 2021. “Le financement climatique pour la justice climatique.” Online: http://climatechangeanddev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/C4D-Policy-Brief_FR-Version-min.pdf (accessed 26 October 2022).

[12] GIEC, 2022. “Climate Change 2022 : Mitigation of Climate Change.” Online: https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg3/ (accessed 26 October 2022).

[13] Climate Action Network Canada, 2022. “Note de breffage pour la Semaine du climat 2022.” Online: https://climateactionnetwork.ca/wp-content/uploads/Note-de-breffage-_-Assemble%CC%81e-ge%CC%81ne%CC%81rale-des-Nations-unies-et-la-Semaine-du-climat.pdf (accessed 26 October 2022).

[14] Oxfam International, 2022. “L’heure des comptes.” Online: https://www.oxfam.org/fr/publications/lheure-des-comptes (accessed 26 October 2022).

[15] Canadian Coalition on Climate Change and Development, 2021. “Le financement climatique pour la justice climatique.” Online: http://climatechangeanddev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/C4D-Policy-Brief_FR-Version-min.pdf (accessed 26 October 2022).

[16] AQOCI, 2020. “Une approche féministe à la justice climatique.” Online: https://aqoci.qc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/pdf_fiche_approche_feministe_a_la_justice_climatique_2020.pdf (accessed 26 October 2022).

[17] Ibid.

[18] Government of Canada, 2021. “Financement climatique du Canada aux pays en développement.” Online: https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/funding-financement/climate-developing-countries-climatique-pays-developpement.aspx?lang=fra (accessed 26 October 2022).

[19] Canadian Coalition on Climate Change and Development, 2021. “Le financement climatique pour la justice climatique.” Online: http://climatechangeanddev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/C4D-Policy-Brief_FR-Version-min.pdf (accessed 26 October 2022).

[20] Ibid.

[21] Ibid.

[22] Ibid.

[23] Carrefour solidarité internationale, 2020. “Mémoire sur le financement international de l’action climatique.” Online: https://www.csisher.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/memoire-financement-action-climatique-aout20_carrefour-solidarite-internationale.pdf (accessed 26 October 2022).

[24] JQSI, 2019. “Pétition destinée au gouvernement canadien pour qu’il fasse sa juste part pour la justice climatique.” Online: http://www.cs3r.org/5905-changeons_le_syst%C3%A8me__pas_le_climat! (accessed 26 October 2022).

[25] Ibid.

[26] United Nations, 2022. “Promotion et protection des droits humains : questions relatives aux droits humains, y compris divers moyens de mieux assurer l’exercice effectif des droits humains et des libertés fondamentales.” Online: https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/3982508/files/A_76_L.75-FR.pdf?ln=en (accessed 26 October 2022).

[27] JQSI, 2019. “Pétition destinée au gouvernement canadien pour qu’il fasse sa juste part pour la justice climatique.” Online: http://www.cs3r.org/5905-changeons_le_syst%C3%A8me__pas_le_climat! (accessed 26 October 2022).

[28] Public Service Alliance of Canada, 2022. “Loi sur la diligence raisonnable en matière de droits de la personne à l’étranger : la pression monte.” Online: https://syndicatafpc.ca/loi-sur-diligence-raisonnable-en-matiere-droits (accessed 26 October 2022).

[29] Nexus Action féministe pour la justice économique et climatique, 2022. “Concepts et demandes clés.” Online: https://wedo.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/ActionNexus_KeyDemands_FR.pdf (accessed 26 October 2022).

[30] Ibid.

[31] Climate Action Network Canada, 2020. “Canada’s Climate Fair Share to Limit Global Warming to 1.5C.”