Fourteenth International Conference on Climate Change: Impacts & Responses

Abstract

Analysis identifying what the costs of just transition away from fossilised fuel consumption, appears to be ill-informed or non-existent. This paper provides a conceptual theoretical review, critically discussing what the true social impact of global climate change mitigation polices could be. Due to climate change, the agriculture, employment and environmentally sustainable landscape will change in many countries. There is a disconnect between the intended social good of COP 26 going forward, compared with the true costs of global climate change mitigation policies. One of the reasons for this policy failure, is the lack of candour in consultation and raising awareness exercises in the early 2020s. Global North countries developed by burning coal, gas and oil, yet they seem not prepared to pay the true cost of a just transition. This paper argues the principle ‘the polluter pays’ is not really being applied to Global North countries as it should be.