Climate justice

Climate change is having the biggest impact on those who have contributed to it the least. While the main perpetrators of climate change are doing little to change their lifestyles, people in the Global South are already struggling with the devastating consequences. Together, we are working for climate justice.

Taking responsibility
for a fair future

Climate change has long been a reality and it affects us all. Extreme weather events such as droughts, floods and hurricanes are increasing worldwide and are destroying livelihoods. Countries in the Global South, which often do not have the necessary resources to adapt, are particularly affected. Millions of people are losing their harvests, their homes and their prospects.

While the main perpetrators of climate change are doing little to change their lifestyles, others are already struggling to survive. terre des hommes schweiz is committed to mitigating the negative consequences of climate change, promoting fair solutions and building a sustainable future .

What does climate justice mean?

Taking responsibility for the climate crisis

Climate justice means that the countries of the Global North, which have historically contributed the most to climate change, take responsibility for the consequences. This responsibility includes not only reducing their own CO 2-emissions, but also supporting adaptation measures in the affected regions, such as countries in the Global South that have contributed little to the climate crisis.

Gruppe Jugendlicher Landwirtschaft - terre des hommes schweiz
Foto: Helder Tavares

Our commitment to people and the environment

Climate change in our project countries

Climate change is threatening the livelihoods of millions of people worldwide. Our projects show how sustainable solutions can help. Our climate justice approaches focus on education and sustainability in order to create long-term prospects and protect the climate.

Foto: Tulio Martins

Situation in South America and Southern Africa

Brazil. Droughts and heavy rainfall threaten agriculture. Through agroecological projects, we help young people to create sustainable livelihoods and protect their environment. For example, agroforestry systems regenerate soils, store CO₂ and promote biodiversity – a win-win situation for people and the climate.

Mozambique. Increasingly violent cyclones are destroying homes, fields and livelihoods. In cooperation with partner organisations, we help the communities affected to better defend themselves against natural disasters and rebuild their livelihoods.

Zyklon Idai verwüstete im März 2019 weite Teile Mosambiks und zerstörte Lebensgrundlagen, insbesondere in der Landwirtschaft. - terre des hommes schweiz
Zyklon Idai verwüstete im März 2019 weite Teile Mosambiks und zerstörte Lebensgrundlagen, insbesondere in der Landwirtschaft. Foto: Jonas Wagner-Mörsdorf

The dark side of the green transition

The transition to renewable energies is urgently needed, but not all measures are fair. In the Global South in particular, large infrastructure projects are often carried out without consideration for local communities. It is crucial that climate protection measures respect human rights.

Western Sahara. Renewable energy projects are being built in the territory occupied by Morocco – without the consent of the Saharawi population, who are suffering repression there.

Mädchen Westsahara - terre des hommes schweiz
Foto: Jair Fernando Coll Rubiano

What we do

terre des hommes schweiz is committed to climate justice on several levels. Our goal is fair solutions to the global climate crisis.

  • Political work. We call on Switzerland and companies take responsibility. This work includes:
    • Supporting climate finance for the Global South
    • Commitment to binding corporate responsibility
  • Sustainable projects. We promote agroecological approaches, education and self-reliance in our project countries.
  • Our own actions. Through our climate and environmental roadmap, we are committed to reducing our CO₂ footprint.
Schulung Landwirtschaft Mosambik - terre des hommes schweiz
Foto: Ivan de Amaral

Our demands on politicians

  • Binding measures to reduce CO₂ emissions
  • Sustainable and human rights-based energy projects
  • Support for the Global South through climate financing

Do you have any questions or would you like to find out more?

Your contact

Annette Mokler

Responsible for the topic of climate

+41 (0)61 335 91 53 annette.mokler@terredeshommes.ch