Advancing Racial Justice and Climate Reparations at the UNFCCC and Beyond

Race and racism render Afro-Descendant populations more vulnerable to both the drivers and impacts of climate change; The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Sixth Assessment Report listed colonialism not only as a driver of the climate crisis but also as an ongoing issue that is exacerbating communities’ vulnerability to climate change; The World Conference Against Racism calls for investments in safe and healthy environments, citing the disproportionate exposure to unhealthy environments due to racism against Afro-Descendant persons; Due to the systemic nature of white supremacy, the extractive global economy, and historic impacts, Afro-Descendant nations and populations endure extreme loss and damage while being historically and systemically deprived of the wealth and power required to be self-determined and resilient; Afro-Descendant nations and people are disproportionately impacted by climate change, including climate forced migration, sea level rise, disasters, shifts in agricultural yields, and more; Afro-Descendant nations and people are among those least responsible for driving climate change;