True climate justice requires holding former colonial powers accountable for the environmental and human damage they inflicted, the effects of which continue to exacerbate the suffering of many populations today, particularly in Africa, Amnesty International stated.
A report by the organization highlighted the plight of the Antandroy people in southern Madagascar. During the colonial era (1924-1929), French authorities destroyed approximately 40,000 hectares of drought-resistant vegetation by releasing genetically modified parasites, wiping out an estimated 100 kilometers of vegetation annually.
According to the report, this led to the destruction of a vital ecosystem that provided food and maintained groundwater during droughts, leaving the population vulnerable to famine, displacement, and death. The report emphasizes that droughts in Madagascar have been exacerbated by climate change, largely caused by emissions from wealthy countries with a colonial history – foremost among them France – contributing to making communities more vulnerable to environmental disasters.
The report notes that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) acknowledged in 2022 the role of colonialism in creating the climate crisis and deepening its impact on people in former colonies. However, international policies have not translated this recognition into sufficient practical commitments.
In March 2023, Vanuatu – a former colony of France and Britain – led an initiative at the United Nations to seek an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding states’ obligations in addressing climate change, with the support of several African countries.
However, the opinion issued in July 2025 completely omitted any mention of “colonialism” or reference to its responsibility for exacerbating climate damage. It also avoided delving into the extent of historical responsibility prior to modern environmental laws.
Amnesty International urges a comprehensive reckoning with the past to forge a more equitable and sustainable future.
