A new survey published in Communications Earth & Environment has uncovered a striking gap between international climate justice and how ordinary Africans perceive responsibility for action. Despite the climate disasters affecting the continent, only 13% of Africans believe wealthy, high-polluting nations should take the lead in addressing the crisis.
Instead, 45% say their governments bear primary responsibility, while 30% point to “everyday Africans” as the ones who should act. Surveying over 53,000 Africans, the study found that just half of respondents had heard of climate change, exposing significant gaps in awareness.
The study covers 39 African countries between 2021 and 2023, and it states that people with higher education and internet access were more likely to attribute responsibility to rich countries. Here, the study suggests that information access shapes perceptions of climate justice.
This disconnect is particularly striking given Africa’s minimal role in causing the crisis. The continent—home to 19% of the world’s population— barely accounts for 4% of historical emissions, yet it already loses 2-5% of GDP annually to climate-related disasters.
Dr. Stella Nyambura Mbau, a Kenyan climate expert, called the findings “concerning” given Africa’s disproportionate suffering but noted they could push leaders to take local adaptation more seriously. Another study author, Dr. Nick Simpson, described the results as a “wake-up call” for African policymakers to respond to their citizens’ expectations—especially since corruption and weak governance erode trust in state-led climate action.
The findings also highlight regional differences. In Tunisia and small island states like Seychelles, respondents were far more likely to blame rich nations, likely due to higher education levels and acute climate vulnerabilities.
As climate disasters intensify, the question remains: Should African governments focus on local solutions, or must global justice come first?
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