A climate justice ambassador and food security expert, Mr. Oluwatobiloba Ojuoluwa, has called for greater representation of African countries and other Global South nations in international climate negotiations, saying equitable participation is essential to achieving climate justice.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Ibadan, Ojuoluwa argued that climate justice goes beyond addressing the impacts of climate change and must also guarantee fairness, equality and inclusive participation in global climate governance.
According to him, although Africa’s role in climate discussions has gained increasing recognition, major decisions affecting the continent are still largely shaped by developed nations.
“There is also a conversation around neo-colonialism, whereby Global South countries are really not having the voice they ought to have.
“Many times, decisions are made for us on what should be done, and that is not climate justice.
“Climate justice is when everybody has a say in every particular conversation,” he said.
Ojuoluwa commended the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) for establishing a dedicated constituency for persons with disabilities, describing the move as a significant step towards more inclusive climate negotiations.
He said the arrangement would provide persons with disabilities a platform to articulate their concerns at the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31), scheduled to hold in Türkiye later this year.
The climate justice advocate also urged governments and development partners to prioritise locally driven climate solutions instead of imposing technologies through grants and externally designed interventions.
He stressed that climate policies, innovations and technologies must reflect the realities and needs of local communities if they are to deliver sustainable and lasting results.
Ojuoluwa further urged African nations to continue pushing for equitable participation in global climate governance to ensure the continent’s interests and those of vulnerable communities are adequately represented in international climate decision-making.
