Climate Finance as a Panacea for Energy Justice: Analysing the Human Rights Issues Associated with Climate Change and Africa’s Legitimate Expectations

Abstract

Climate change is undoubtedly a global challenge that demands cooperative action, as highlighted
the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13. While the urgency of addressing clim
change is universally recognized, it is essential to consider the distinct economic, social, and politi
challenges faced by different regions. Africa, despite being the smallest contributor to climate chan
is disproportionately affected by its impacts, including droughts, flooding, and heatwaves. T
continent's financial and economic difficulties further hinder its ability to fund necessary mitigat
and adaptation measures. These challenges must be prominently addressed in internatio
negotiations to ensure that Africa receives its fair share of climate finance, a critical provis
emphasized at COP27. Countries around the world face varying degrees of political, cultural, a
economic impacts from climate change, yet compensation mechanisms often fail to reflect th
disparities in a proportionate manner. Furthermore, Africa continues to struggle with energy acc
with over 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa lacking access to modern energy services.
African nations seek to transition to cleaner energy systems to mitigate climate change, secur
adequate financial resources becomes imperative. Equally important is the need to ensure that t
transition is just and equitable. This article aims to contribute to the growing body of literature
climate finance by utilizing the framework of energy justice to explore how justice principles can p
a central role in the climate finance discourse. Focusing on Africa, the article examines energy acc
and the human rights dimensions of climate change. By applying the principles of legitim
expectation and differentiation, we argue that African countries should be granted credit for th
minimal contribution to climate change. We propose that carbon credits be redirected towa
funding developmental infrastructure, facilitating access to low-carbon technologies, and secur
climate finance and financial transfers that do not exacerbate Africa's debt burden.