According to Fr. Chilufya, the “real relief” will really come when developed nations finally establish and contribute to the fund.
“It remains critical for all nations to ensure that the fund is operational and funded in a responsible, fair and equitable manner,” says the JENA Director.
He adds that the failure to update the fund “will be another empty promise made at the expense of millions of people around the world who suffer the consequences of climate change that they cannot adapt to or manage resiliently.”
In view of the implementation of the resolution, one must wonder where the money for the kitten will come from, says the Zambian-born Jesuit priest.
And it adds: “We invoke the ‘polluter pays’ principle, which is the commonly accepted practice that those who cause pollution must bear the costs of managing it to avoid harm to human health or the environment.”
“In this sense, the new fund should be paid for by taxing the big polluters that have caused the climate crisis in the first place,” the Nairobi, Kenya-based priest further says.
He says rich nations “should commit to new and additional financial compensation, not aid money, with the new fund, in proportion to their historical carbon emissions, and tax big polluters.”
“It is time for rich nations to make sure their governments contribute to the fund. Since most wealthy nations are democratic nations, their citizens must also show perseverance and unity for justice and love to demand that their governments do what is just, right and noble,” said Fr. Chilufya says.
While the establishment of the fund is important, he says, “we still need deeper and more real solutions to the climate problem that are transformative and regenerative and capable of protecting the planet, biodiversity and all of creation.”
“We need real action to reduce global emissions and real protection of human rights so that we have climate justice,” the Jesuit priest says in his November 22 statement.
