Climate justice, land-use change emissions and global health

Abstract

Climate change is one of the most pressing global challenges, demanding strong ethical commitments to address its interconnected environmental and health risks. In Brazil, the leading source of greenhouse gas emissions is the land use, land-use change, and forestry (LULUCF) sector, particularly deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. This not only accelerates global warming but also increases the risk of epidemics and infectious disease spillovers, as highlighted by the IPCC in 2023. As the global carbon budget rapidly shrinks, the need for urgent and equitable climate action becomes increasingly evident, especially in countries like Brazil. This paper proposes a hybrid responsibility model that incorporates three key considerations: historical emissions (polluter pays), national capacity to act (ability to pay), and the ethical imperative to protect biodiversity, particularly due to its role in preventing future pandemic risks. While grounded in the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), this model offers a more just and practical framework to guide both mitigation and adaptation efforts. Brazil’s dual role as a major emitter due to deforestation and as a crucial steward of global biodiversity requires climate policies that are ethically robust and ecologically informed. In alignment with the One Health approach, which emphasizes the interdependence of human, animal, and ecosystem health, this paper examines Brazil’s ongoing deforestation crisis in the Amazon as a case study in the fair distribution of global climate responsibilities.