Emma Lehbib: "The fight against the climate crisis is inseparable from struggles against inequality, racism, and colonialism"

How would you briefly introduce yourself, and what motivated you to participate in the IV International Youth Act! Forum?

My name is Emma and I am a Sahrawi activist from Germany. My work centers infrastructure projects in occupied Western Sahara, issues of international law, refugee camps, exile and identity, as well as topics such as solidarity, anti-colonialism and decolonial thinking. . Working on these issues makes it clear that the case of Western Sahara is not an isolated one; rather, it reflects broader structural patterns shaped by global systems of capitalism and colonialism.
For this reason, I was especially grateful to participate in the IV International Youth Act! It was a meaningful opportunity to learn from diverse contexts and experiences, including those from Colombia, Palestine, and fellow Sahrawi activists.

What was your first impression when you arrived at the forum and met young activists from different regions?

My first impression was how diverse our realities were: we come from very different contexts, territories, and legal complexities. Even those from the same region often organize and resist in distinct ways, shaped by their specific circumstances. That diversity was striking and deeply enriching.

At the same time, there was an immediate sense of connection. In particular, as someone living in the diaspora, I do not have the opportunity to share such a space with other colonized people who are resisting the same systems of power. We recognized shared patterns in our struggles and found comfort in that mutual understanding. It was an incredibly humbling experience to see how our local fights are interconnected and to learn from the strength and creativity of young activists from across the world.

From your perspective as a young person from Western Sahara, how does the climate crisis affect your community?

The Sahrwi refugee camps in the deep Algerian desert are located in one of the most affected areas of climate crisis, a crisis they did not cause. Extreme weather events are increasing in both frequency and intensity, driven by global warming. Already scarce water resources are further strained by rising temperatures and increased evaporation. The camps lie on the edge of a zone where, with global warming of 2–3°C, “unsurvivable” combinations of heat and humidity could be reached. Regular floods destroy shelters, leaving families at risk of being left without protection or means of livelihood.

As a nomadic people, the Sahrawis once adapted flexibly to environmental change. Today, however, a massive wall cuts off access to two-thirds of their homeland, while Morocco’s drone warfare since 2020 has made much of the remaining territory inaccessible. This not only undermines traditional livelihoods such as pastoralism, but also severely limits the community’s ability to adapt to accelerating climate pressures. The refugee camps have existed for nearly 50 years. Yet they cannot be sustained indefinitely under these conditions. What is urgently needed is a just political solution that respects the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination.

What connection do you see between the ecological crisis and human rights violations in your territory?

In addition to the direct impacts of the climate crisis on the refugee camps, another key issue is “green colonialism.” Morocco, which imports around 90% of its energy, is pursuing an ambitious climate strategy that could position it as a continental leader in renewable energy. Yet while Morocco is internationally celebrated as a model for sustainable energy, this strategy carries a decisive catch: it plans to source 47% of its wind power and 32% of its solar energy production from the occupied territory of Western Sahara. This means that Western Sahara continues to be used as a source of resources, without regard for the rights of the Sahrawi people. European companies such as Siemens and Enel benefit from these projects, whilst creating jobs.

While Morocco expands its renewable energy projects in the occupied territory of Western Sahara, the Sahrawis are paying the price: the destruction of their property and their displacement. In a letter dated March 20, 2025, eight UN Special Rapporteurs call on the Kingdom to immediately halt the destruction of Sahrawi property. According to their findings, hundreds of Sahrawis were deliberately targeted and forcibly displaced in the course of these operations. Yet only a few of those affected dare to speak publicly about the loss of their homes, out of fear of reprisals by Moroccan authorities and the private companies involved.

Do you think climate change solutions should take into account the specific realities of regions such as Western Sahara? Why?

As many states do not recognize the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), they are excluded from international climate negotiations as well as from financial instruments for climate adaptation to sustain the refugee camps. Sahrawi voices remain unheard, even though they stand on the front line of the climate crisis, whilst Morocco can profligate itself as green champion and cement its occupation.

The UN climate body largely accepts without criticism that Morocco includes energy infrastructure in occupied Western Sahara as part of its own commitments to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. This creates the impression of UN endorsement and generates international praise for projects implemented in occupied territory, projects that, in fact, should be politically condemned or sanctioned.

How do you think young people can influence climate policy in their countries?

Young people can influence climate policy by recognizing where power is concentrated: in Europe, where many corporations operating in territories like Western Sahara, Palestine, or Colombia are headquartered. These companies generate wealth at home while exploiting resources and land elsewhere, under occupation or in contexts of inequality. That proximity creates responsibility. Holding governments and corporations accountable, challenging greenwashing, and demanding binding climate regulations are concrete ways young people can drive change.

The fight against the climate crisis is inseparable from struggles against inequality, racism, and colonialism. Climate justice is not only about emissions targets; it is about how wealth, power, and resources are distributed, globally and within Europe itself. While these conflicts may seem far away, the institutions shaping them are often close to us. That means you have the ability and the responsibility to act.