A Moment of Reckoning: The Urgency of Climate Action at COP29

When we talk about climate change, the urgency is overwhelming. Around the world, communities are already grappling with its devastating impacts—floods, droughts, and forced migration that disrupt lives and destroy livelihoods. For Africa, the stakes are particularly high. Despite contributing less than 4% of global emissions, the continent is disproportionately affected, facing disasters that threaten its ecosystems, economies, and people.

Take Kenya, for example. This year, catastrophic floods displaced thousands and claimed lives in the Great Rift Valley. In Mathare, one of Nairobi’s most vulnerable communities, families were left homeless as waters surged through homes and streets, destroying what little they had. These are not distant crises; they are happening now, affecting real people and real lives.

And Kenya’s story is not unique. Across the continent:

• Mozambique’s coastal communities endure repeated cyclones, tearing apart infrastructure and homes.
• Somalia’s farmers face crippling droughts, with millions struggling to find food and water.
• South Africa’s urban planners are grappling with devastating floods that destroy critical infrastructure and upend lives.

Africa is on the frontlines of a warming planet, facing a crisis it did not cause. Yet, despite the continent’s limited emissions, it bears the brunt of climate change’s harshest impacts.

The Loss and Damage Fund, established at COP27, was a recognition of this inequity. It offered hope—a landmark acknowledgment of the injustices driving the climate crisis and a promise to provide financial support to the world’s most vulnerable. But as COP29 unfolds, that promise remains unfulfilled. The fund is still a framework, not a reality.

A Broken History of Bold Ideas

The idea of addressing “loss and damage” isn’t new. It has been a topic of debate for decades, formally recognized in 2013 with the creation of the Warsaw International Mechanism.

But here’s the thing: while the mechanism was supposed to address the impacts of climate change in vulnerable regions, it was never backed by funding. Without money, without accountability, it became a symbol of unfulfilled ambition.

The Paris Agreement of 2015 took a cautious step forward, acknowledging loss and damage in Article 8 but sidestepping any mention of liability or financial obligations. Wealthier nations, worried about opening the door to lawsuits or compensation claims, stopped short of committing resources. So the mechanism remained toothless, unable to address the mounting crises faced by the Global South.

Then came COP27 in Egypt. It marked a turning point—or so we thought. The Loss and Damage Fund was established with a mandate to help the communities hit hardest by climate disasters. Finally, a framework that could translate climate justice into tangible support.

But the fanfare quickly gave way to the realities of bureaucracy. Critical questions that continue to plague the fund include:

• who governs the fund,
• who pays, and
• how the money is distributed—have been left unanswered.

And without answers, nothing moves forward.

Understanding Carbon Credits: A Short-Term Fix with Long-Term Risks

One proposed solution to offset emissions has been the use of carbon credits especially in markets like Kenya.

The idea behind carbon credits is simple: polluters can offset their emissions by buying credits tied to projects like tree planting or renewable energy in developing countries. On the surface, it seems like a win-win—wealthy nations fund green projects, and emissions are offset.

But the reality is far more complicated:

• Shifting Responsibility: Carbon credits often allow high-emission entities to avoid reducing their own emissions. Instead of cutting back, they “buy” the right to pollute, shifting the burden to vulnerable communities.
• Displacing Communities: In places like Uganda, carbon offset projects have displaced indigenous groups, cutting them off from their ancestral lands. Here at home, the Ogiek people are fighting their eviction for carbon credits. These projects prioritize market-driven goals over the well-being of the people they claim to help.
• Overestimating Impact: Many carbon credit schemes have been criticized for inflating their benefits. For example, projects that claim to reduce deforestation often result in "carbon leakage," where deforestation simply moves to another area.

This raises a fundamental question: Are carbon credits a distraction from deeper, systemic change? And if so, how do we reimagine our climate response to avoid creating new injustices for future generations?

A Philosophical Approach: How Did We Get Here?

Before we talk about solutions, we need to ask some hard questions:

1. How Did We Get Here? Climate change didn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of centuries of exploitation—of people, resources, and ecosystems. Colonial legacies, industrialization, and unchecked consumption have left us with a crisis that is global but deeply unequal. I talk at length about this here.
2. How Do We Avoid Creating New Harm? As we act, we must ensure that our solutions don’t create more problems. Climate projects that displace communities, degrade ecosystems, or perpetuate inequality must be avoided at all costs.
3. What Do We Owe Future Generations? We are stewards of this planet, not its owners. Every decision we make must be evaluated not just for its immediate impact, but for its long-term consequences.

Philosophical reflection is important, but action is essential. Fortunately, there are organizations already leading the way.

Taproot Earth is a powerful example of how centering frontline voices can drive systemic change. As part of the Taproot Earth community, I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of their work. Taproot Earth brings together Black communities from across the globe to develop solutions that prioritize those most affected by the climate crisis. By focusing on justice and systemic change, Taproot Earth ensures that the voices often excluded from climate conversations are placed at the heart of decision-making processes. Their approach not only highlights the inequities of the crisis but also redefines how climate action can empower and uplift communities on the frontlines.

Equally inspiring is the work of the World Future Council, which anchors its mission on the principles of intergenerational justice. The council advocates for policies that safeguard the rights of future generations, emphasizing that true climate action goes beyond mitigating immediate impacts. Their work reminds us of the critical importance of creating a sustainable foundation for those who will inherit this planet. It challenges us to think not just about today’s solutions but also about their long-term implications for future generations.

Both Taproot Earth and the World Future Council exemplify what’s possible when deep reflection meets bold action. They challenge us to think differently, act decisively, and design solutions that are as inclusive as they are innovative. Their leadership serves as a beacon for what climate justice can achieve when it is rooted in equity and future-oriented thinking.

The Loss and Damage Fund: A Test of Global Accountability

The Loss and Damage Fund represents a historic opportunity to address the injustices of climate change. But its operationalization depends on more than just money.

It requires governance models that prioritize the voices of those most impacted. In the discussion here I shared examples that would possibly work for Africa

It requires accountability from wealthy nations to meet their financial obligations. And it requires a philosophical shift in how we approach climate justice—not as a problem to be solved, but as a relationship to be restored.

As COP29 Closes: A Call for Bold Leadership

As COP29 closes, it represents a moment of reckoning. Will world leaders honor their commitments, or will this be another chapter in the history of broken climate promises?

We hope to see concrete steps: binding agreements, clear timelines, and governance frameworks that reflect the voices of frontline communities.

But hope alone isn’t enough. It’s time for all of us—activists, policymakers, and citizens—to demand accountability, amplify marginalized voices, and ensure that the actions we take today honor the generations yet to come.

Watch the Full Story

To understand why the Loss and Damage Fund matters and explore bold solutions for its implementation, watch our latest video: "Why the Loss and Damage Fund Must Deliver at COP29."

Video Here

Join the conversation. Let’s make sure that as COP29 concludes, it marks the beginning of a new chapter in climate justice—not another missed opportunity.