SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 13: CLIMATE CHANGE

 

Climate Change is defined as the change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate.

Climate change threatens many of humanity’s biggest achievements as well as its future goals - goals reflected in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The world continues to experience rising sea levels, extreme weather conditions and increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases. 

Climate change is a crosscutting and immediate threat to the achievement of the SDGs, and to the survival and well-being of island nations and coastal communities.

This calls for urgent and accelerated action by countries as they implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

This also provides the biggest opportunity for positive, systemic change that will ensure resilient societies, productive economies, and healthy environment for present and future generations.

Achieving all other SDGs will be much more challenging without urgent climate action, including those related to poverty, hunger, access to water, terrestrial and marine ecosystems, health, gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, among others.

Conversely, many of the goals and targets can also be achieved in ways that would enable adaptive responses to climate change.

Similarly, more sustainable industrialization under SDG 9, sustainable food production systems and resilient agricultural practices under SDG 2, and changing patterns of consumption and production in line with SDG 12 can all contribute towards low-emission pathways, the creation of new kinds of jobs and long-term progress towards eradicating poverty and other deprivations. 

Climate change is the defining issue of our time.

From rising sea levels to catastrophic weather events, the impact of climate change is being experienced around the world.

It presents the single biggest threat to sustainable development.

These will involve land, energy, industry, buildings, transport, and cities.

All levels of governments and segments of society, including the legal community, need to take drastic action.

Developed countries are the largest emitters of greenhouse gases - but people in developing countries are worst affected.

The effects of climate change are already felt globally with serious consequences for the environment and for people.

Climate change disproportionally affects people living in poor and developing countries.

Small Island Developing States are threatened by the rise of sea levels.

Countries located near the equator are expected to suffer the most extreme variations in temperatures.

Also, a large share of the population in developing countries depends on small-scale agriculture, which is particularly vulnerable to climate variations. 

Climate change is interconnected with land degradation, drought, and desertification.

While developed countries are the largest emitters of greenhouse gases, it is people living in the poorest countries who bear most of the burden.

This affirms that, while climate change is a global concern that all governments need to address, the developed countries must take the lead in combating climate.

Mitigation aims to limit the increase of global temperature by reducing human-produced greenhouse gas emissions.

A key mitigation measure is the transition from a fossil fuel based economy to a carbon neutral one.

Adaptation refers to the measures taken to reduce harm from changing climate environment.

It includes infrastructure projects, such as seawalls, and technological shifts, like more efficient irrigation methods.

Climate change policies sometimes also refer to impact reduction.

These are measures to minimize adverse effects of climate-related hazards.

They also refer to resilience (the ability to recover from natural disasters).

Tackling climate change plays a vital role in the achievement of other SDGs and the realization of human rights.

For example, droughts and famines will displace a growing number of people from their homelands.

Without a focus on climate change, these human rights issues will increase both in frequency and impact.

By enhancing understanding of climate change – as well as the policy and programmatic efforts to mitigate its impact and to adapt to its consequences –lawyers can play a key role in promoting ‘climate justice’.

Law firms with expertise in this area can consider organising seminars and workshops on international climate change obligations to raise awareness of the existing laws relevant to climate change.

However, climate change undoubtedly has an impact on the enjoyment of specific human rights, especially for the most vulnerable populations.

This impact will increase in the future.

Climate disruption will affect the rights to food, water, and decent housing. 

Climate change is happening right now, and its effects are clearly visible.

Millions of people have died or gone missing due to disasters and hazards.

Countries are making efforts to adopt and implement national and local disaster risk reduction strategies.

The countries that have contributed least to greenhouse gas emissions are most affected by the effects of global warming.

They have the fewest resources to adapt to and protect themselves from it.

Together we can combat climate change and the negative effects.

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