Reimagining climate justice and action for marginalised voices in Zimbabwe: A Kairos moment

Abstract

Background: The urgent need for climate justice in Zimbabwe calls for a Kairos moment (i.e., prophetic moment) through climate activism, stressing ethical obligation towards genuine inclusion of marginalised voices in the light of acute environmental crises. The contrast arises from Zimbabwe’s presence at COP29, with an elite delegation that spent close to $2 000 000.00, including $200 000.00 on air travel, at the exclusion of grassroots communities.

Objective: The action demonstrates systemic inequities, which constitute ‘mere participation’ in the global arena.

Method: The article analyses Zimbabwe’s climate team using our theological models on the questions of justice and stewardship. The argument is constructed around issues of tokenism, interventions that lack meaningful engagement with environmentalists and marginalised communities.

Results: This study analyses the latest Local Conference of Children and Youth (LCOY): a flawed but crucial attempt at inclusion and openness, showing how exclusion of bottom-up narratives and socio-economic injustice are still present and perpetuated.

Conclusion: In order to have meaningful participation in global climate governance, Zimbabwe needs to restructure its delegation, focus on redistributing resources, and ensure that affected communities are not passive beneficiaries but active participants.

Contribution: This research is part of a broader ethos of a socioecological renaissance that is based on an ethical conception of justice, equity, and stewardship, rejection of elitist theories, and an emphasis on inclusive and effective responses to climate change. In addition, this call for genuine representation seeks to shift the climate action dune in Zimbabwe towards justice-driven solutions that ring true both here and elsewhere.