Climate change, micro-finance and economic law: Legal frameworks, challenges, and opportunities for sustainable financial inclusion in the AnthropocenePromovendus: Dhr. L.T. Chisaira
Promotor: Mw. Dr. M. Bartl
Duur: 1/9/2024 - 31/8/2028
Abstract:
Vulnerable countries and communities in the Global South suffer significant challenges from the climate crisis, financial exclusion and economic inequalities. Microfinance services ranging from deposit and savings accounts, loans, investments, microinsurance, green economy and climate financial literacy and capital have the potential to either alleviate or exacerbate the plight of these communities. The existing literature on the equity of microfinance has been inconclusive and contentious. This research seeks to critique and explore how economic law reforms in microfinance services can address the challenges posed by the anthropogenic climate crisis, promote sustainable financial inclusion, and advance a greener solidarity economy in the Global South. The research utilises the Critical legal theory and the Marxist legal theory frameworks and employs empirical and interdisciplinary research methodologies. The expected results are an improvement in sustainable financial inclusion and an economic legal framework that protects climate-vulnerable communities in their use of microfinance and alternative finance services such as deposits, savings, loans, investments, capital, alternative currencies and microinsurance. The research seeks to come up with better and more equitable legal reforms that transform the micro financial services sector into a more responsive, greener, just, and equitable sector.