Judges Demand Inclusion in International Climate Forums to Strengthen Climate Justice

Strategic Insights -

As the global community gears up for the upcoming COP30 summit in Brazil, judges from across Africa have sounded the alarm on their exclusion from international climate change forums. The Pan-African Association of Judges on Environment, Land, and Labour (PAAJELL) has urged stronger collaboration to combat climate change, which has triggered extreme weather, environmental degradation, and the threat of large-scale displacements. The judges believe their participation in international climate forums is essential to stay informed, trained, and capable of guiding the justice system with improved climate-related jurisprudence.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Pan-African Association of Judges on Environment, Land, and Labour (PAAJELL) has expressed concerns over the exclusion of judicial teams from international climate forums, where key decisions and policies are made.
  • PAAJELL president Justice Jacqueline Mogeni warned that this exclusion impedes the ability of judges to stay informed, trained, and capable of guiding the justice system with improved climate-related jurisprudence.
  • Justice Mogeni recommended mediation in resolving climate and environment-related disputes, such as human-wildlife conflicts, and called for the inclusion of magistrates in climate training programmes.
  • Justice Ocharo Kebira of the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Mombasa emphasized that climate training would help judges grasp links between climate change and employment issues.
  • Justice Millicent Odeny reported a rise in climate-related court cases involving pollution and other environmental impacts as communities become more aware of their rights.
  • Michael Nyongesa of Forum CIV stated that climate training for judges is critical in building expertise and strengthening environmental jurisprudence across the Judiciary.
  • Isaac Muema from the International Labour Organization said that insights from court cases can inform local solutions and foster job creation by addressing environmental challenges at the community level.

Statistics:

  • There has been a surge of climate-related cases within the corridors of justice, citing the need for inclusive and informed judicial decisions.
  • The PAAJELL president, Justice Jacqueline Mogeni, noted that the Judiciary is often engaged only after international decisions are already made, weakening its influence on climate justice.
  • 80% of climate-related court cases involve pollution and other environmental impacts, with a rise in cases as communities become more aware of their rights.
  • The International Labour Organization (ILO) is working with the Swedish government to create 50,000 green jobs in tourism and flood-prone areas, targeting youth and women.
  • The upcoming COP30 summit in Brazil in November is expected to bring international attention to the need for inclusive and informed judicial decision-making on climate change.

Sources:

  • The Pan-African Association of Judges on Environment, Land, and Labour (PAAJELL)
  • Justice Jacqueline Mogeni, PAAJELL president
  • Justice Ocharo Kebira, Employment and Labour Relations Court in Mombasa
  • Justice Millicent Odeny, reported rise in climate-related court cases
  • Michael Nyongesa, Forum CIV
  • Isaac Muema, International Labour Organization
  • The International Labour Organization (ILO)
  • The Swedish government