Climate Policies Overlook Local Needs, Experts Say
Ironically, nations least responsible for climate change often suffer the most. As the world grapples with climate change denial and funding shortfalls, current climate policies require significant adjustments to address local realities.
Resource Scarcity and Climate Impact
Evidence shows that limited resources heighten vulnerability to climate change consequences, hindering adaptation for both individuals and nations. These vulnerabilities, however, vary across poorer populations and countries.
Despite this, global discussions often assume that climate actions universally benefit poorer countries, advocating for uniform policies. Institutions like the World Bank, IMF, and UN have promoted standardized climate policies, such as carbon credit schemes, to combat global warming. However, reliance on donors limits poorer nations’ ability to reject these one-size-fits-all approaches that may not suit local contexts.
Furthermore, the scarcity of climate impact data in the global south increases dependence on foreign expertise, reinforcing top-down policy prescriptions. Poorer countries often rely on donors not only for funding climate mitigation but also for climate-related research.
The Importance of Local Ownership
Effective climate action must be rooted in domestic political realities. Without local ownership, commitments falter when donor funding dries up. Pledges to limit deforestation, for instance, require political capital to succeed. This cannot be created by foreign experts, especially where illegal logging is a major revenue source for communities whose votes local politicians need.
Forest conservation must also recognize the link between deforestation and the subsistence farming needs of local communities, a major driver of encroachment. Without investments in alternative incomes or sustainable farming methods, conservation schemes can harm local populations, increasing the risk of subversion. Globally, agriculture is a major driver of deforestation, responsible for 90% of worldwide deforestation, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
Rethinking Climate Strategies
To address global warming effectively, climate policies in the global south must consider their impact on local communities. Effective policies should improve material conditions while addressing climate threats. Mitigation strategies that exacerbate marginalization, such as paying elites to conserve forests for carbon credits, are not viable.
Climate policies require greater flexibility and attention to local contexts. While global consensus is vital for coordinated action, policies must be participatory and incorporate diverse perspectives. Building coalitions adhering to common-sense mitigation approaches is more effective.
A technocratic approach to climate policies is destined to fail. Greater efforts are needed to anchor policies in domestic politics. International development entities leading climate adaptation must relinquish control. Poorer countries must proactively offer solutions relevant to their environments, informed by the communities affected. Meaningful climate actions require popular support.
