Africa Day 2025: Reparative Justice Must Include Climate Justice
This year’s Africa Day, commemorated on May 25th, carried a resonant theme: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations.” The African Union spotlighted historical injustices such as slavery, colonialism, and systemic exploitation; but the call for justice must also extend to one of the most urgent issues of our time: climate justice.
Africa accounts for less than 4% of global carbon emissions, yet it bears the brunt of climate change’s devastating impacts—rising temperatures, floods, prolonged droughts, and mounting food insecurity. This is not just environmental misfortune; it is a manifestation of climate colonialism, where centuries of exploitation have evolved into new forms of ecological and economic subjugation.
High-emitting nations, many of which built their wealth through imperial conquest and resource extraction, continue to profit from global systems that perpetuate environmental degradation. The transition to so-called "green" technologies, for instance, often depends on exploitative mining practices in African countries. Carbon offset schemes sometimes justify land grabs, displacing communities in the name of conservation. And African voices remain marginalized in global climate governance, echoing the power imbalances of the colonial era.
In 2025, any conversation on reparative justice must confront not only the past but also the structural forces actively undermining Africa’s future. Reparations are not only about righting historical wrongs; they are about transforming current systems that continue to extract from the continent while denying its agency.
Fortunately, to pre-empt this shift, local progressions are already in motion.
At the 2024 Women’s Climate Assembly in Senegal, women from West and Central Africa called for climate reparations from major polluters, while emphasizing the gendered dimensions of the climate crisis. Women are not only disproportionately affected by climate change; they are also leading the charge in sustainable agriculture, biodiversity protection, and community resilience.
Youth movements are also at the forefront. The African Youth Adaptation Solutions Challenge is investing in young innovators through funding and mentorship, helping scale local climate solutions. In Ghana, the Green Africa Youth Organization launched the continent’s first Youth Climate Council, empowering a new generation of climate leaders. In Kenya, the Mombasa County Youth Bunge is advocating for stronger youth participation in climate policymaking.
Meanwhile, faith-based institutions are becoming influential advocates for ecological justice. In 2024, young leaders from Lutheran churches across Africa convened in Tanzania to develop a faith-rooted roadmap for climate justice, grounded in spiritual stewardship, environmental education, and collective action.
As we reflect on the significance of Africa Day for this year and years to come, let us expand the conversation on reparations to include ecological restoration and climate equity. Justice for Africans must also mean justice for African environments, and a decisive dismantling of the systems that continue to exploit both.
