Combating Climate Change to Promote the Right to Health in Cameroon: A Legal Appraisal of Practical Measures and Conundrums Faced

Abstract

Climate change has in the 21st Century been regarded not only as an environmental concern but also as a public health emergency. In contemporary times, almost all members of the international community including Cameroon have been grappling with the scourge of climate change. Even with Cameroon’s efforts to counteract climate change, the consequences of the phenomenon are still evident, with the right to health suffering greatly. Findings of this paper reveal that despite the level of success recorded by the State of Cameroon in the fight against climate change, several challenges have over the years been faced. These challenges have in various ways hampered on the effective fight against climate change to promoting the right to health in Cameroon. Findings of this paper further reveal the fundamental role played by State courts in the pursuit of environmental protection, specifically the fight against climate change in Cameroon in a bid to protect and promote the right to health. In view of the challenges faced in the fight against climate change, the paper makes several recommendations including: the education and sensitisation of the Cameroonian populace; the harmonisation of environmental legislation and the promotion of cooperation amongst environment actors in Cameroon.