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Five grassroots climate justice movements COP28 could learn from

   December 2, 2023
Five grassroots climate justice movements COP28 could learn from


From royalty to presidents, CEOs to nonprofit bosses, many of the world’s most influential people have gathered in Dubai for COP28, the latest edition of the United Nations’ annual climate change conference.

Like every summit of this kind, the conclave also took place in Dubai criticismHowever, a loss and compensation fund was launched on day one to support poorer countries that have contributed little to climate change but are suffering some of its worst consequences.

Yet the annual UN summits have often been described as roundtable discussions that do little to fundamentally improve the planet’s chances of survival in the face of rising temperatures or to ensure climate justice.

Meanwhile, communities around the world – and particularly in the Global South – are working to protect future generations from the devastating effects of climate change.

Here are some initiatives and movements that take the needs of local communities into account when working to combat climate change and fight climate injustice.

Karachi Bachao Tehreek – Karachi, Pakistan

Pakistan’s largest urban center, Karachi, was devastated Floods in August 2020. In response, the government and the disaster management agency launched a large-scale anti-encroachment operation, demolishing financially disadvantaged settlements, ostensibly to clean up the city’s natural stormwater drains. This led to severe urban displacement, affecting many working-class families in the city.

Under this name, a group of activists in Karachi who campaigned against the destruction came together to form a movement Karachi Bachao Tehreek (KBT), Urdu for Save Karachi Movement. In response to the crisis, KBT conducted on-site surveys of those affected by demolition work to assess their experiences and expectations for the future. The group also organized public hearings in affected areas of Karachi to gather feedback on the government’s relocation plan. KBT raises public awareness of the issue and helps put pressure on authorities by organizing marches and rallies to protest climate injustices.

Save Aru – Aru Islands, Indonesia

Aru Islands are a forested archipelago in Indonesia. A company called Menara Group received government approval to grow sugarcane on about two-thirds of Aru in a multibillion-dollar commercial project that threatens the food security and livelihoods of hundreds of residents. The politician who gave this permission was later imprisoned for corruption.

In 2013, the Aruese, led by local activist Mika Ganobal, responded by organizing a protest in Dobo, the main town of Aru. The movement that became known as Save Aru was led by women. Those involved in the movement also conducted research to demand greater transparency about the paperwork and permits behind approving plantations. The campaign’s efforts bore fruit in 2019 when the government stopped the plantation, saving Aru from falling victim to commercial monoculture.

Conamuri – Paraguay

Eastern Paraguay could not shy away from becoming a victim of commercial monoculture. Commercial soybean plantations replaced beautifully diverse forestland, displaced indigenous and farming communities, contaminated land and water with agricultural pollutants, killed animals, and spread disease.

“National Coordination of Farmer and Indigenous Women” (Conamuri) means “National Coordination of Farmer and Indigenous Women”. Conamuri was born Alliances to work with other women’s rights and farmers’ rights organizations to resist climate injustice imposed by the authorities. These groups also seek to protect and preserve indigenous and ancestral knowledge of their land and food. They do this by organizing marches to protest commercial land use and raising funds to grow crops.

Beirut Urban Lab – Beirut, Lebanon

The sense of urgency following Israel’s attack on Lebanon in 2006 brought together faculty members from the American University of Beirut who brought their expertise to assess the consequences of the war. This project was known as Beirut Urban Lab.

What began as an attempt to document and research post-disaster reconstruction has evolved into a broader study of urbanization and development in Lebanese cities. The projects aim to create a transparent source of housing information for low-income urban residents of Beirut. Mona Fawaz, the co-founder of the project, spoken about how sustainable housing options were once considered a luxury, but are now also financially viable. People in Beirut are ready to switch to solar energy and public transportation. The city lab is currently trying to recommend city regulations that base the size of buildings on solar capacity. The Beirut Urban Lab conducts research, mapping and workshops to advocate for the restoration of urban spaces where sustainability and equity go hand in hand.

RuralRevive – Maltahöhe, Namibia

Maltahöhe is a village in Namibia, southern Africa, home to approximately 6,000 people who practice community and commercial livestock farming and horticulture.

It was once a central hub of the country’s sheep industry, but the sector has shrunk in recent years, leading to a rise in unemployment.

Still, it is strategically located near popular tourist destinations, including wildlife reserves. The RuralRevive The initiative uses this advantage to revitalize the village’s economy in a way that is environmentally sustainable and benefits the local community.

The idea: Make Maltahöhe a local distribution hub for products and services while pursuing sustainable energy conservation and waste management.

Plans to make this successful include a solar-powered laundry service with wastewater recycling that will provide employment opportunities for local women, a barn for local farmers to sell fresh produce, and a solid waste disposal and recycling facility.





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