The Africa Make Big Polluters Pay (MBPP) Coalition has renewed its urgent call for climate reparations for African nations and the Global South, spotlighting the disproportionate environmental damage they endure despite contributing the least to global emissions.
The demand came during a two-day virtual engagement, which brought together climate justice advocates, experts, and over 50 journalists from at least eight African countries. The event, themed “Communicating Climate Change: Realities, Impacts, and the Need for Action,” was hosted by Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) in partnership with Corporate Accountability (CA).
The executive director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Dr Nnimmo Bassey, lamented that for centuries, Africa has been stripped of its resources without reaping the benefits.
Bassey harped on the importance of climate finance for both reducing emissions and helping African communities adapt to the changing climate, while explaining that climate change impacts are tackled in two ways: mitigation and adaptation.
Elaborating on the historical context, Bassey said: “For centuries, Africa has been stripped of resources without reaping the benefits.” He highlighted the long-standing adverse effects faced by African nations, from colonial exploitation to present-day challenges, noting the severe threats posed by sea-level rise and coastal erosion to African coastal communities, which risk displacement and loss of vital infrastructure.
As discussions on climate adaptation and financial models continue, Bassey reiterated the urgent need for international cooperation and support for African nations in their fight against climate change.
“We must ensure that those most affected are given the support and resources needed to adapt and thrive,” he said, calling for a collaborative effort to secure a sustainable future for the continent and beyond.
Speakers at the event emphasided that while the Global North was responsible for the majority of emissions, the Global South—particularly Africa—bears the heaviest burden.
“Most pollution is generated in the Global North, yet it’s the Global South that suffers the most. Reparations are not charity—they are a demand for justice,” said the managing director of CA, Elvis Méndez.
Mendez, who heads CA’s campaigns, added, “We are living in precarious times.” Mendez underscored the urgency for collective action against climate change, highlighting the significant power that corporations hold over governments. Corporations must be held accountable for their actions,” he asserted, emphasising that the gathering aimed to foster a unified approach to climate action.
The training also addressed the disparities in contributions to global climate change, particularly between the Global North and African nations. Mendez pointed out that while African countries contribute relatively little to global emissions, they are among the hardest hit by climate-related consequences. “Most pollution is generated in the Global North, yet it’s the Global South that suffers the most,” he stated.
CAPPA’s executive director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, reinforced the political and economic dimensions of climate injustice. “We need to mobilise communities to resist climate destruction, and part of that is demanding that those who caused this crisis pay their due,” he said.
While the coalition pushed its demand for reparations, it also used the opportunity to equip journalists with tools for impactful climate change reporting. CAPPA’s senior climate programme manager, Olamide Martins, said empowering the media is essential for amplifying African voices and holding polluters accountable.
Executive director of the Centre for Environmental Justice in Togo, Kwami Kpondzo, criticized carbon market systems, warning that they risk shifting climate burdens to African nations rather than alleviating them. “We must scrutinize these mechanisms closely. They often fail the people they claim to help,” he said.
The second day of the session featured media-focused workshops led by Kristin Salvage of CA and Esthappen S of Demand for Climate Justice. Both stressed the importance of accurate, community-based storytelling in countering misinformation and shaping public understanding of climate realities.
In his closing remarks, Dawda Cham of HELP-Gambia encouraged journalists to act on the knowledge gained. “Expose the realities, challenge false narratives, and put this knowledge to use in your reporting. Africa cannot afford silence,” he said.
With its renewed call for reparations and strengthened media engagement, the MBPP Coalition is making it clear: climate justice for Africa is not negotiable—it’s long overdue.
