In this episode, we delve into the pressing need to decolonise climate change policy, focusing on the pivotal role of historical emissions by the Global North and the critical importance of equitable solutions for the Global South. Our discussion highlights the disproportionate responsibility borne by industrialised nations for the current climate crisis and explores how their legacy of emissions has exacerbated vulnerabilities in less developed regions.
Join us as we speak with climate justice advocates, policymakers, and researchers who are at the forefront of this transformative movement. Together, we’ll explore actionable steps towards a fair and just climate policy that recognizes past inequities and paves the way for a sustainable future for all.
Meghna Abraham
Meghna Abraham is an international human rights lawyer and expert on economic, social and cultural rights who has led campaigns, investigations, and policy development to reform unjust economic policies and models. Over the last few years, she has also focused on the role of these policies and models in driving the climate and biodiversity crises.
Meghna is the Chair of the Board of the Natural Resource Charter Limited, a member of the Advisory Council of the Bonavero Institute for Human Rights, and a Fellow of the Nottingham Human Rights Law Centre. She is a qualified Indian lawyer who holds a BA LLB (Hons) degree from the National Law School of India University, Bangalore, and BCL and MPhil in Law degrees from the University of Oxford.
She was formerly the Executive Director of the Center for Economic and Social Rights (CESR). Prior to joining CESR, she worked at Amnesty International, including as the Director of Global Issues, Head of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and Senior Researcher on Corporate Crimes. Meghna has also worked at the Natural Resource Governance Institute, International Service for Human Rights, Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions, World Organisation Against Torture, Human Rights Centre, University of Essex, and Centre for Child and the Law at the National Law School. She has been an expert consultant for various NGOs and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
José Gesti
José Gesti works as senior climate action adviser to Sanitation and Water for All (SWA), providing support on policy and strategy, as well as country engagement on climate action, water supply and sanitation services. Previously Jose worked for UNICEF as Chief of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in UNICEF Jordan Country Office, and as Advisor in the UNICEF Headquarters office, focusing on sustainable groundwater development and climate resilient water and sanitation services. Prior to that, Jose served at the Ministry of Water Resources and Environment in Spain where he worked on integrated water resource management approaches at the Ebro River Basin Authority.
UnniKrishnan Nair
Unnikrishnan Divakaran Nair is the Head of Climate Change at the Commonwealth Secretariat, where he plays a pivotal role in steering the climate change program. His leadership is marked by a strong emphasis on key initiatives, such as the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub, the utilisation of geospatial data for climate action, the Commonwealth Climate and Gender Programme, and the implementation of the Commonwealth Living Lands Charter. His responsibilities cover 56 small and vulnerable Commonwealth countries, and he currently leads a dynamic 23-member technical advisory team. This team actively champions the implementation of climate action targets across Commonwealth member countries in the Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Caribbean regions.
Before joining the Commonwealth Secretariat, Mr. Nair served at the UNFCCC in Bonn, where he held a crucial role in managing Climate Finance and National Adaptation Plans for Small Island States and Least Developed Countries. Prior to that, he occupied a senior advisory position at GIZ India, overseeing climate finance and natural resource management under Indo-German bilateral cooperation. With a wealth of experience exceeding 21 years, Mr. Nair is an expert in strategic thinking, programme management, policy formulation, climate negotiations, and resource mobilisation. His specialisation lies in climate finance and capacity building for low carbon and climate-resilient development, particularly in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and other vulnerable developing nations. His comprehensive background includes successful collaborations with civil society, community-based organisations, private sector entities, and bilateral and multilateral agencies across numerous countries.