The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Azerbaijan will address the urgent need to enforce the “polluter pays” principle, aiming to hold corporations and nations accountable for greenhouse gas emissions. The principle, though accepted, has rarely been enforced, leaving developing nations to shoulder climate adaptation costs. The conference aims to introduce mechanisms such as ending fossil fuel subsidies, establishing climate finance responsibility, implementing carbon taxes, enhancing legal accountability, and ensuring historical emissions are addressed to ensure corporations pay for their contributions to climate change.
The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) is scheduled to occur in Azerbaijan in November 2024, representing a pivotal opportunity to address the urgent climate crisis by holding corporations and nations accountable for their greenhouse gas emissions. The fundamental principle of “polluter pays” asserts that those responsible for pollution must manage its costs to avoid harming human health and the environment. Despite its widespread acceptance in theory, this principle has often lacked consistent implementation, allowing major polluters to operate without significant financial repercussions for the damage they inflict. It is particularly concerning that many developing nations, which contribute the least to global emissions, have been disproportionately tasked with the burden of climate adaptation and mitigation. Climate projections indicate that the world is on track for a temperature increase of approximately 2.7°C by the century’s end, which poses unprecedented risks, particularly for regions like Africa. Failing to curtail greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 could lead to annual costs amounting to US$50 billion for the African continent, alongside an estimated 250,000 additional deaths globally each year between 2030 and 2050. As an environmental science professor with extensive research on fossil fuel pollution impacts in South Africa, I argue that COP29 must take decisive steps to hold polluters accountable. Potential strategies include imposing taxes on pollution, instituting accountability for past environmental damages, and facilitating judicial avenues for climate compensation claims. Past COP meetings have set ambitious benchmarks but have invariably fallen short in translating goals into immediate and significant emission reductions. For instance, COP17 led to the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action, yet greenhouse gas emissions persisted uninhibited. The Paris Agreement of 2015 aimed to curb warming to well below 2°C through voluntary commitments from nations, a framework that, while noble in intent, has proven insufficient in practice due to the absence of penalties for failed commitments. Notably, the United States withdrew from the Paris Agreement in 2017, incurring no repercussions for its departure. COP29 presents a critical opportunity to strengthen the implementation of the “polluter pays” principle through several proposed mechanisms: 1. Ending fossil fuel subsidies: These subsidies, which totaled US$7 trillion in 2022, perpetuate greenhouse gas emissions and must be eliminated. 2. Mandatory climate finance liability mechanisms: A global liability framework should be established to obligate major emitters to compensate affected regions, similar to liability regulations for oil spills. 3. Carbon pricing and taxation: Governments can implement carbon taxes on emissions, encouraging a shift towards cleaner technologies, exemplified by Sweden’s high carbon tax rate of €116.33 per tonne. 4. Legal accountability for climate damage: COP29 should advocate for new international legal frameworks that enable lawsuits against governments and corporations for environmental harm, drawing on pivotal precedents such as the 2021 ruling requiring Shell to reduce its emissions. 5. Financial transparency regulations: Stricter corporate disclosure laws can identify and hold accountable entities contributing to climate damage, ensuring accountability. 6. Accountability for historical emissions: Fossil fuel companies should be held to account for their historical pollution through financial contributions to a climate reparations fund. In conclusion, the international community must undertake robust measures to ensure accountability from leading greenhouse gas emitters. It is imperative that high-emission nations and corporations contribute financially to support climate mitigation and adaptation efforts, particularly in vulnerable areas. The success of COP29 hinges upon a collective commitment to justice, equity, and transparency, ensuring that the responsibilities for mitigating climate change are not disproportionately shouldered by those least responsible.
The concept of the “polluter pays” principle has long been a cornerstone of climate policy discussions, emphasizing the need for those responsible for pollution to address and manage the consequences of their actions. The upcoming COP29 provides a crucial platform to reinforce this principle amidst mounting climate challenges. With global temperatures rising and developing nations bearing the brunt of environmental repercussions, the urgency for actionable measures grows. Previous climate conferences have demonstrated the difficulty in transforming ambitious goals into tangible outcomes, highlighting the need for stronger enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance from polluting entities.
The upcoming COP29 represents a vital juncture in the global fight against climate change. By implementing enforceable regulations and financial commitments for major polluters, the conference can meaningfully advance climate justice. It is essential to hold all responsible parties accountable to ensure equitable distribution of burdens and resources in combating climate change, particularly for vulnerable nations.
Original Source: theconversation.com
