CLIMATE JUSTICE AND GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT
CLIMATE JUSTICE AND GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT

Summary/Abstract: Climate change represents one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century, disproportionately affecting developing countries. While industrialized states have historically generated the majority of greenhouse gas emissions, the most vulnerable economies face the most severe consequences: droughts, floods, rising sea levels, and ecosystem degradation. This situation raises a fundamental question of justice: who should bear the costs of ensuring a clean environment? The principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities,” enshrined in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), provides both an ethical and pragmatic answer. All countries share a common responsibility to protect the planet, but the degree of this responsibility depends on their historical contribution to pollution and their economic capacity. Thus, developed countries, which have emitted the majority of greenhouse gases, have a moral and financial obligation to support poorer nations in their adaptation efforts and in the transition to green technologies. Transitioning to a clean environment entails significant costs, ranging from investments in renewable energy to restructuring polluting industries and adapting critical infrastructure. For developed countries, these costs are more manageable, given their financial and technological resources. In contrast, developing countries face limited resources and require international support to address the impacts of climate change, both to mitigate pollution and to continue their economic development. International mechanisms, such as the climate funds established under the Paris Agreement, represent important steps toward balancing these responsibilities. The goal of mobilizing $100 billion annually for developing countries is an example; however, actual needs far exceed these amounts, with estimates reaching $1–1.3 trillion annually for adaptation and mitigation. This discrepancy highlights the necessity for more effective international cooperation and stronger commitments from developed states. In conclusion, climate justice is not only an ethical issue but also a prerequisite for sustainable global development. It is essential that developed countries assume responsibility for their historical contributions to pollution and provide real and equitable support to developing nations. Only through a collaborative and just approach can a global transition to a clean environment be ensured, protecting both the present and the future of the planet.

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