A coalition of African climate justice advocates has filed a formal application at the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, seeking an advisory opinion on the legal obligations of African states in tackling the climate crisis.
The landmark initiative, led by the African Climate Platform (ACP) in partnership with Resilience40, Natural Justice, the Environmental Lawyers Collective for Africa, and supported by the Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU), calls on the court to interpret critical human rights provisions under the African Charter in the context of climate change.
“This petition is our collective voice against these injustices and a demand for accountability and protection,” the coalition said in a joint statement during proceedings at the court’s seat in Arusha, Tanzania.
This marks the first time the African Court has been petitioned to clarify how the continent’s human rights framework applies to the climate crisis—specifically the right to life (Article 4), the right to health (Article 16), the right to development (Article 22), and the right to a healthy environment (Article 24). “Africa contributes less than 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet it faces some of the harshest climate impacts,” the statement added.
Announcing the development at a virtual press briefing on Friday, 2 May 2025, Lead Coordinator of the African Climate Platform, Alfred Brownwell, urged all African states to support the petition.
“This is not just a legal action—it is a moral call to centre the rights of frontline communities—farmers, fishers, children, and indigenous peoples—most affected by climate change,” Mr Brownwell said.
He stressed that Africa should not only be seen as a victim but as a critical partner in global climate action.
Africans continue to bear the brunt of climate change and its impact on our people. We must step forward not only to demand justice but to lead in shaping climate solutions rooted in equity and resilience.”
The petition comes at a time when climate-induced disasters—such as prolonged droughts, devastating floods, and growing food insecurity—threaten the lives and livelihoods of millions across the continent.
Supporters of the legal action include legal experts, feminist groups, youth organisations, indigenous movements, and civil society actors from across Africa. The move has been described as a historic moment in African climate jurisprudence and a crucial milestone toward embedding climate justice in national and regional governance frameworks.
“As courts around the world are being called upon to act, the African Court now stands at the helm of a new chapter for Africa—one where our laws reflect the realities of our people and the urgency of the climate crisis,” said a representative of the African Climate Platform.
The coalition aligned the initiative with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which envisions “The Africa We Want”—a just, prosperous, and sustainable future for all. In a closing message to African leaders and international partners, the coalition declared:
“This is not just a legal plea—it is a bold assertion of our right to survive, to thrive, and to lead.”
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