Justice in the “critical minerals value chain” – moving in tandem for a just transition

Introduction Humanity is at a crossroads, confronted with the effects of climate change that no nation can solve on its own without working with others. It requires all countries to…

Leave it to our children

An Appeal To Involve The Youth In Climate Policy Introduction Some of the most influential politicians could be our grandfathers and -mothers. They stand there confidently and preach that they…

From Dubai to Baku: Energy Justice at the COPs and the Question of Fossil Fuel Abandonment

The twenty-eighth Conference of the Parties (COP28), which took place in Dubai from 30 November to 13 December 2023, made a modest yet significant contribution to energy justice by expressing…

A Sure Bet to Overturn the Curse by Shaping Upstream Mining of Critical Minerals

Introduction Critical minerals are in particular demand for the transition to low-carbon and renewable energies to attain the goals of the Paris COP21 agreement. The energy transition is expected to…

The Right to a Clean and Healthy Environment in Africa through the Lens of Regional Integration

Introduction The UN General Assembly on 28th July, 2022 adopted a landmark resolution recognizing and making a declaration that the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment is a…

Need to give more importance to climate justice than to net zero targets

OPINION Prof. Dr Phillipe Cullet 31 March 2022 COP26 specifically recognized the importance of the concept of climate justice in the preamble to the Glasgow Climate Pact. Yet, the main…

Plastic Waste and Waste Disposal – Current Issues of Global Environmental Change

ANALYSIS Julia Reiher 25 March 2022 Alarming pictures of burning landfills at the margins of our cities or dying marine species in large garbage swirls come to mind when thinking…

Legal Interventions of African Countries to Reduce Single-Use Plastics – Are the Laws Enough?

COMMENT Isabelle Zundel 30 August 2021 The increase of tragic natural disasters in intensity and frequency is proof of the immense challenge climate change displays. One of many contributing factors…

Children’s Rights and the Environment

COMMENT Prof. Dr. Thoko Kaime 3 June 2021 This month, the African Legal Studies blog focuses on children’s rights, a topic that tracks very close to my heart. In introducing…