- COP28 is happening in Dubai when many countries including the East African region are experiencing vast weather changes.
- These have seen heavy rains leading to massive flooding, loss of lives, displacement of people, destruction of property, loss of livestock, and crops.
Conversations, framing and narratives around climate change are rapidly changing.
At the same time, reality is dawning on many that past rhetoric has not helped much and that the political, economic, and social effects continue biting.
COP28 is happening in Dubai when many countries including the East African region are experiencing vast weather changes.
These have seen heavy rains leading to massive flooding, loss of lives, displacement of people, destruction of property, loss of livestock, and crops.
African-led position and solution-based approach as pushed the Kenyan President William Ruto is very welcome.
Hopefully, it will be finalized, put on the table- and accorded good political will by the rest of the world.
Why would the rest of the world, and more so, those that pollute the air more through industries, the aviation and maritime sectors resist workable solutions from Africa?
During the Africa Climate Change Week held in Nairobi recently, Kenya led other African countries in calling for shifting the debate and framing of the climate change crisis away from a division between the Global North and the Global South.
Kenya called for adopting a more collaborative and collective action that allows each country and region to contribute what it has and not necessarily financially.
This disfavors Africa in the global arena in the climate change discourse and interventions, yet the continent has vast green resources that could be very useful in the global strategies to combat the adverse effects of climate change.
Africa is ready to contribute to global decarbonization efforts by leveraging its abundant resources, including renewable energy, critical minerals, agricultural potential, and natural capital.
By harnessing these assets, Africa can drive its own green growth and support global renewable energy needs.
The continent also offers a range of investment opportunities for global capital to promote decarbonization and local economic development.
EAC countries have indicated they will have a common position in Dubai, following the Heads of State Summit in Arusha last week.
A leading think tank on climate change issues; Power Shift Africa, recently released a report titled Africa’s Agenda for COP28; which calls for urgent practical and honest intervention at COP28 to combat the escalating climate crisis.
The report urges a strong response at COP28 to address the unique challenges of the current climate emergency, by focusing on six Key areas.
They include the establishment of a functioning Loss and Damage Fund, advocating for robust financial and technical institutions, development of a program that aims to support Africa and other developing nations in transitioning to low-carbon economies and ensuring no one is left behind.
The report further called for doubling up of financial resources for the global adaptation plan with a special focus on the most vulnerable communities.
In addition, the report calls for making the climate finance commitments from global players SMART and accountable.
This is through a thorough review of pre-2020 commitments, climate finance, and technology transfer within the framework of the Global Stocktake (GST) process and the need for resolute global efforts to limit temperature rise, emphasizing equity, responsibility, and concrete actions.
Mohamed Adow, Founder and Executive Director, of Power Shift Africa, notes that it has never been more vital for African nations to work together and unite our collective voice at the COP28 climate summit.
He implores African leaders to push rich countries to deliver on their promise of climate finance to help Africans adapt to climate change and compensate the most vulnerable who have suffered losses and damages.
According to Lorraine Chiponda, coordinator, of Africa Climate Movement-of-Movements, Africa has the potential to lead the world in renewable energy.
Many African nations still cling to fossil fuels, risking a polluted and perilous future.
Binding ourselves to obsolete fossil fuels impedes the realization of clean and affordable renewable energy benefits.