Building blocks for climate reparations

The climate catastrophe is not a natural disaster. It is the result of historical and present power relations, colonial exploitation, and an economic system geared towards growth and profit. It does not affect everyone equally, and it was not caused by everyone in the same way.

The project “Building blocks for climate reparations” Together with six authors – mostly from the Global South – we have developed six fact sheets that highlight key aspects of climate reparations. The aim is to make climate reparations visible as a necessary political and social project, beyond charity and technocratic solutions.

What are climate reparations?

Climate reparations are neither aid nor charityThey are an instrument to address the causes of the crisis: historical responsibility, structural inequality, and systemic responsibility.

They mean:

To take responsibility for damages caused
redistribution from Resources, power and decision-making authority
Addressing the structural causes of the crisis – instead of just managing symptoms

Why do we need climate reparations?

The climate catastrophe is deeply unjust.

On one side are those who are historically and structurally responsible for them: countries, companies, and individuals who have profited—and continue to profit—from greenhouse gas-intensive production, colonialism, and economic growth. Germany, for example, is responsible for approximately 3% of global historical emissions Responsible, even though less than 1% of the world's population lives here. On the other hand, communities, countries, and ecosystems in the Global South bear the brunt of the burden. At the same time, they lack the financial, political, and infrastructural resources to protect themselves or mitigate the damage.

This injustice is no accident. It is the result of centuries of dispossession, colonial exploitation, unfair trade relations, and neocolonial economic structures. The same systems that caused the climate catastrophe continue to determine who suffers and who profits from it.

Open mailing list for climate reparations

The Climate Reparations mailing list is an open platform for people who want to learn about, connect with, and share information on climate reparations. It can be used to share and receive information, dates, questions, and materials related to the topic.