Colonial Legacies of Environmental Degradation: A Catalyst to the Climate and Biodiversity Crisis

Abstract

The enduring legacy of colonialism has profoundly shaped the environmental and ecological challenges, among others, faced by formerly colonized States. The exploitation of natural resources, widespread habitat destruction, and the introduction of invasive species during colonial periods have left lasting ecological scars that continue to exacerbate these regions' vulnerability to climate change, as well as other extreme events. Addressing these historical injustices is not merely a matter of acknowledging the past; it is an imperative for historically responsible States to unconditionally support concrete actions toward reparations and environmental restorative justice, and to provide a better basis for development in formerly colonised nations. Developing legal frameworks that shift away from colonial environmental transgressions, while ensuring that conservation efforts are inclusive and rights based. Along with innovative mechanisms, a wider interpretation of the existing and applicable law is needed to prevent further fragmentation leading to ecological degradation and to redress the imbalances created by colonial exploitation while dismantling the very systems of inequality that perpetuate environmental harm.

Keywords: Loss and damage fund, Environmental targets, equity, environmental law, policy mechanisms, funding