Climate Justice: CHARM partners push for a greener tomorrow
By CHARM Team
Integration of sustainable environment remains a key component to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and is one of CHARMs key area of focus. By strengthening organizations championing environmental justice, capacity building of environmental Trainers of Trainers (TOT) and offering shelters to environmental Human Rights Defenders, (EHRDs) we are at the forefront of ensuring that Sub-Saharan region remains greener for the future generations. Our approach has been in different styles.
As the world geared up for the African cup of Nation (AFCON) our partner Magamba Network, was high on its campaign, to Kick TotalEnergies’ out of the tournament that is one of the biggest uniting factors for the Continent. Magamba Network was among the civil society groups to red flag the French company headline sponsorship of the tournament. The company, they pointed out, is big on “sportswashing” yet it remains the top oil and gas extractor in Africa. The Kick Total Out of AFCON campaign challenged the fossil fuel giant’s sponsorship of AFCON, demanding it end new drilling on the continent and invest seriously in renewables. Kick Polluters Out called on Confederation of African Football (CAF) to ditch big polluters like TotalEnergies who don’t deserve to be associated with the world’s beautiful game. The campaign was in the shape of influencers calling for the kicking of Total Energies on their various outlets including YouTube, and an X campaign.
Another approach taken by CHARM partners includes the empowerment of different community-based groups across the region. In Rwanda, CIVICUS, works a lot with the Community of Porters of Rwanda (COPARWA) in interlinking the Universal Peer Review (UPR) process and the promotion of environmental practices. They are keen on the promotion of climate justice and land issues, as well as well documented research in the impact of climate change in the area. The leadership, In June 2024, during a visit to Kigali, they shared how their findings were presented during COP 28, as one of the key environmental bodies pushing for the climate change agenda.
On the other hand, Civic Rights Defenders (CRD) and Defend Defenders (DD), have partnered to provide a physical and psychosocial security Training of Trainers program to these Women Environmental Human Rights Defenders (WEHRDs). The training enhanced skills of EWHRDs in physical security focusing on identifying risks faced by WEHRDs in the region and how to instrumentalize threat analysis techniques and mapping out existing support systems. It has the psychosocial element that equips participants with tools for self-care and how to protect themselves in their work. Importantly, WEHRDS are provided with a resident Counsellor on issues around self-care and protecting themselves emotionally in their various spaces.
CHARM is keen to continue supporting, through our partners, such initiatives. We believe that these efforts will culminate in the promotion of the earth’s flora and fauna, encompassing water, air, land, flora and fauna. We work towards ensuring that generations to come will enjoy a safer and cleaner world, thanks to the groundwork being laid by the consortium.
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