Climate displacement and the relevance of climate justice: A trend analysis of South Africa, Zimbabwe, South Sudan and Liberia

Abstract

Displacement is a major consequence of climate change being faced by populations in Africa, as shown in the experiences of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Liberia and South Sudan. As a response to the injustices and inequalities experienced by vulnerable communities, the concept of climate justice has featured in academic writings and international policy documents on climate change. However, its reflection and application in domestic legal frameworks to the specific situation of climate-induced internal displacement in Africa are scant in academic engagement. Using a doctrinal approach in engaging with existing writings and instruments on displacement and climate justice, the study interrogates the extent to which the legal framework in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Liberia and South Sudan may apply in achieving climate justice for displaced persons. The study demonstrates that whereas there is a recognition of climate justice as a legal response to climate-induced internal displacement in international law, much remains to be achieved in terms of the reflection and application of the existing legal framework at the domestic level. It then makes specific recommendations on how to strengthen existing instruments to achieve climate justice for displaced persons.