LEGAL FRAMEWORKS FOR ADDRESSING THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE WORLD

Abstract

Globally, the issue of climate change has become prominent over recent decades, as a result of the
negative consequences of carbon emissions and global warming. Climate change alters our world by
disrupting the natural, economic and social systems we rely on for sustenance. This in turn affects the
weather, food supplies, and financial market, destroys infrastructure and harm human health and global
development. According to World Health Organization, climate change contributes to humanitarian
emergencies from floods, wildfires, heat waves, tropical storms etc. Climate change legislation on the
other hand consists of the laws and policies that govern change which is majorly human induced changes
in the atmospheric composition, which if unchecked, will grow tremendously over the next decades. The
aim of this paper is to examine the laws and regulations that govern climate change at the regional and
international levels. The paper further seeks to explore the relevance of adopting and effective
enforcement of legal instruments and laws in the regulation of climate change. The research methodology
adopted is the doctrinal method of legal research. The emerging trend of global climate change analyzed
indicates that countries in the global south are extremely vulnerable and not adequately prepared for the
impending impacts of climate change. Hence there is need for collaborative efforts particularly in terms
of climate legislation and litigation both at the international and national levels. The paper recommends
among others that the Global South needs to be actively included in the decision-making of global action
and partnership. While the Global North actors need to support active inclusion of Global South actors
on climate change regulation.