Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Caritas Zambia
Caritas Zambia is deeply saddened that the final decisions of the conference of parties (cop24) on climate change recently held in Katowice, Poland from 3rd to 14th December, 2018 did not reflect the essential elements in the protection of human rights affected by climate change.
Caritas Programme Specialist Livelihoods and Climate Change Programme, Musamba Mubanga states that the preamble of the Paris agreement in particular reaffirms the rights of indigenous peoples, food security, just transition, public participation and access to information, ecosystem integrity, protection of biodiversity and intergenerational equity.
Ms Mubanga says the poor and vulnerable have their human rights constantly threatened by the effects of climate change.
She says it is extremely worrying that state parties are still debating about such fundamental principles that were supposed to be held as key for every state.
Ms Mubanga says caritas therefore urges the Zambian government to revise and enhance its nationally determined contributions before 2020 in line with its fair share.
She states that it is well known that current pledged will not be nearly enough to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, hence to contribute to the achievement of the visions and the goals of the Paris agreement, Zambia must commit to greater levels of action against climate change and ensuring that the poor and vulnerable communities are at the center of every action to be taken.
Ms Mubanga adds that government implement policies that protect the environment, and strive to harmonize all policies that govern all natural resources protection.