Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. LESS than 3% of global climate finance is reaching just transition efforts, raising fears that the shift to greener economies is unfolding in ways that deepen inequality.
A latest report by ActionAid, an organisation which supports communities ravaged by the climate crisis, has revealed that the shift has pushed vulnerable communities further into hardship.
This comes as world leaders prepare to convene for the Conference of the Parties (COP30) in Brazil from November 10 to 21.
ActionAid spokesperson Kevin Maenzanise said the report revealed that communities living at the sharp edge of climate emergency are being left behind.
“New ActionAid report titled, Climate Finance for Just Transition: How the Finance Flows found that less than 3% (2,8%) of climate funding is supporting ‘just transition’ approaches that prioritise workers, women and communities when tackling climate crisis,” he said in a statement.
“The organisation says this worryingly low amount demonstrates how communities at the sharp edge of the climate emergency are being let down and their needs ignored, leading to harmful practices.”
The report analysed data from two major global climate funds — the Green Climate Fund and the Climate Investment Fund.
“The data also revealed that only one in 50 projects (1,96%) are adequately listening to and supporting people through just transition, and only one US dollar in every 35 spent is supporting just transition,” said Maenzanise.
He said the transition from fossil fuels and industrial agriculture must be done in a way that protected jobs and rights, kept food and energy affordable.
“ActionAid says there is an urgent need to move away from fossil fuels and industrial agriculture towards renewables and agroecology, but that this needs to be done in a way that protects people’s jobs and rights and makes food and energy affordable.
“Just transition approaches often mean involving communities in local planning processes, providing support and training for new jobs and thriving greener economies, and offering income support to help to bridge the gaps when climate-destructive industries close down.”
ActionAid International secretary-general Arthur Larok said: “The world urgently needs action to prevent climate breakdown, but it should be the polluters, not the workers and communities, who pay the price.
“Something’s got to give. If just transition continues to be overlooked, then there’s a real risk that inequalities will deepen.”
Global lead on climate justice Teresa Anderson said just transition approaches should ensure that climate action prioritised people’s daily needs.
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