Enforcing Accountability at COP29: The Imperative of the Polluter Pays Principle

The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) in November 2024 aims to emphasize the enforcement of the “polluter pays” principle, holding corporations and countries accountable for greenhouse gas emissions. While this principle has been acknowledged in climate discussions, consistent and enforceable measures have been limited, allowing major polluters to evade financial responsibility. With the world facing unprecedented warming, COP29 is urged to adopt strict mechanisms such as taxing emissions, providing climate finance liabilities, and utilizing legal frameworks for accountability to ensure justice and equity in the fight against climate change.

The upcoming 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Azerbaijan in November 2024 is set to facilitate crucial discussions regarding the enforcement of the “polluter pays” principle in addressing climate change. This principle asserts that those responsible for pollution must cover the costs related to the management and remediation of their environmental impact to safeguard both human health and the ecosystem. Despite being a widely accepted tenet, its implementation has been inconsistent, allowing significant polluters to evade financial responsibility. Notably, developing countries continue to shoulder the disproportionate burden of climate adaptation and mitigation initiatives, despite contributing the least to global emissions. The urgency surrounding climate action has escalated, particularly in light of the global temperature surpassing the 2°C mark above pre-industrial levels for the first time on November 17, 2023. This alarming rise underscores the necessity for COP29 to exhibit stronger political will and commitment to curbing emissions effectively. Estimates suggest that failing to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 could cost Africa $50 billion annually, with projected global deaths reaching 250,000 yearly from 2030 to 2050—an outcome that disproportionately affects the African continent. As a professor of environmental science, I am firmly convinced that COP29 can make substantial strides towards enforcing accountability measures for polluters. Implementing mechanisms such as taxing polluters, imposing payments for past emissions, and enabling judicial pathways for climate-related damage claims are essential actions the conference should endorse. Historical responses from prior COPs have included setting ambitious targets, yet they frequently lacked actionable plans for enforcing compliance. The Paris Agreement of 2015, despite being legally binding in good intent, relied heavily on voluntary commitments that allow nations to evade accountability without penalties. Nations such as the United States, the largest polluter, withdrew from the agreement in 2017 without facing repercussions. With COP29 on the horizon, there lies an imperative opportunity to fortify the “polluter pays” principle through enforceable punitive measures against noncompliant countries and corporations. Proposed actions include abolishing fossil fuel subsidies, establishing mandatory climate finance liability frameworks for polluters, and implementing robust carbon pricing and taxation systems at the source. Sweden’s carbon tax serves as a successful model to consider, having successfully diminished emissions through financial deterrence. Moreover, legal accountability must be heightened through the involvement of the International Court of Justice and similar entities to tackle environmental harms and adjudicate climate-related compensation claims. New international legal frameworks could pave the way for lawsuits directed at governments and corporations culpable for excessive emissions. The demand for increased financial transparency is another critical aspect that COP29 should address. By instituting stricter corporate disclosure regulations, entities can be held accountable for their environmental footprint, thereby facilitating the identification of responsible parties for climate reparations. Accountability for historical emissions, especially for fossil fuel companies, must also be solidified, creating mechanisms for them to contribute to a global “climate reparations” fund. Moving forward, a concerted effort from the international community is vital to establish undeniable accountability for major greenhouse gas emitters. This entails compelling financial commitments from high-emission sectors to support climate mitigation and adaptation in vulnerable populations, particularly in Africa. The triumph of COP29 hinges on the collective commitment of nations and corporations to endorse principles of justice, equity, and transparency, ensuring that the responsibility of mitigating climate change does not rest solely on those who have contributed the least to the crisis.

The principle of “polluter pays” has long been integral to discussions regarding climate change responsibility. It posits that those who pollute the environment must finance measures to counteract the harm caused by their actions. Over the years, this principle has faced challenges in terms of consistent application, leading to a scenario where many countries and corporations remain unaccountable for their emissions. Additionally, developing nations, which contribute minimally to global emissions, find themselves disproportionately burdened by the effects of climate change, thus necessitating remedial action from the global community, particularly at significant forums like COP29.

In conclusion, COP29 represents a pivotal moment to implement robust accountability measures for those contributing to climate damage. Enforcing the “polluter pays” principle through penalties for emissions non-compliance and establishing financial frameworks could substantially aid in addressing environmental injustices. It is critical that the conference acts decisively to alleviate the burdens placed on vulnerable populations while holding major polluters accountable. A cohesive commitment to justice and accountability must resonate among all participating nations and corporations to effectively combat the climate crisis.

Original Source: theconversation.com