The Kenyan government has announced that it will not retreat in its bid to secure more resources to fight the impacts of climate change even as negotiators go through daunting challenges.
As of Friday, negotiations over what is known as the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance were on.
The new goal is being set from a floor of $100 billion per year that had been set earlier by developed countries but was not delivered.
Rich countries had pledged the amount per year to developing countries by 2020.
Parties at the ongoing climate talks in Azerbaijan rejected what would have formed the basis for a draft text of the new deal, slamming brakes on the talks.
The G77, China, and the Arab group had rejected the draft for inadequately reflecting their priorities, calling for a finance goal of at least $1.3 trillion per year dedicated to developing nations, stalling the negotiations.
Environment PS Festus Ng’eno told the press on Friday that Kenya and by and large Africa will not retreat even as the going gets tough.
Ng’eno said the African continent continues to suffer drought, and floods even the global north is suffering as we speak.
The PS said there is a need to have finances flowing to support livelihoods and forestall problems.
“Our people will continue suffering yet we are not the people who caused the problems.”
Ng’eno said there is no need for blame game between developed and developing countries.
He said solutions are what is needed. Ng’eno said Africa will not compromise on the $1.3 trillion needed as the figure has been arrived at by the African group.
“We know how we are suffering as Africa. Therefore, the figure is well thought out.”
Ng’eno said the private sector especially in Kenya has a role to play.
“Remember, they are part and parcel of our community irrespective of where we are looking at. So, we expect that there will be synergies between ourselves and the private sector.”
Sources around the negotiations were at Friday saying that the draft text on New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance was increasing in the number of pages.
A source familiar with what is happening said more parties were putting forward their information.
But even as the negotiations get underway, developed countries are reportedly not willing to put a figure in terms of the funds of what they are willing to provide.
“They have put their number under the table. We cannot negotiate without the number,” a source said.
African groups are adamant that they need $1.3 trillion annually to address the impacts of climate change.
Who gets to contribute the money needed remains a sticky issue. On Sunday, African ministers are expected to get a report on how negotiations have been going.
World leaders and negotiators are in Baku, Azerbaijan, for the United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as the 29th Conference of Parties (COP29).
Kenya is among countries pushing to have more resources to address the impacts of climate change.
The Kenyan delegation was led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Environment CS Aden Duale and Environment.
The two officials have however left Baku, leaving PS Ng’eno to steer the boat.
