African nations are gearing up for COP29 with renewed vigor, signaling their determination to address the pressing climate crisis head-on. Recently, key institutions gathered in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, as part of the Twelfth Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa, organized by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Union Commission (AUC), and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). The convergence aimed to streamline Africa's climate action agenda before the pivotal conference set for later this year.
At this notable gathering, participants focused on aligning their priorities with the outcomes of the global climate agenda. A significant point raised was the disproportionate impact of climate change on Africa, which contributes less than 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Despite this minimal contribution, the continent suffers the most severe consequences, such as increasing droughts, floods, and rising temperatures. Cote d'Ivoire’s Minister for Environment, Sustainable Development, and Ecological Transition emphasized this reality, asserting, "Africa emits less than 4 percent of total global greenhouse gas emissions, yet it is the most affected by the harmful consequences of climate change." His call for action urged attendees to develop actionable recommendations to strengthen Africa's influence in forthcoming global climate negotiations.
Ambassador Josefa Sacko, AUC’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment, echoed the sentiment during her remarks. She highlighted the potential steep economic toll of climate change, forecasting losses equivalent to approximately 5% of GDP annually across Africa by 2040 if urgent adaptation strategies aren’t implemented. She stressed the necessity for collaborative efforts to secure scalable climate financing to tackle this crisis. “We must anchor our negotiations, deliberations, and common position on securing grants rather than debt or loans, scaling finance for projects, and enhancing carbon markets,” she stated, underscoring the need for imaginative financing solutions.
Prof. Anthony Nyong, Director for Climate Change and Green Growth at the African Development Bank, remarked on the existing climate financing gap hindering Africa’s ability to face climate challenges. With under 3% of global climate finance directed to sub-Saharan Africa each year, he reiterated the AfDB’s commitment to boost investments significantly, proposing to double climate finance to $25 billion by 2024 and raise Africa’s share of global climate financing from 3% to 10%.
The conference also spotlighted the results-oriented nature of the discussions, aiming at consensus-building among African nations concerning their climate action stance. One of the central objectives is to create strong frameworks for nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and identify specific financing requirements for adaptation and resilience-building across the continent.
While the gathering bolstered optimistic discussions, the reality on the ground highlights the urgency for action. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released its State of the Climate in Africa 2023 report, underscoring the continent's precarious position concerning climate change. Africa is already grappling with the repercussions of extreme climatic events, with projections indicating worsening conditions. By 2030, as many as 118 million people are anticipated to be extremely poor and at higher risk due to climate extremes, putting additional strains on socio-economic structures and poverty alleviation efforts.
The WMO detailed the chilling statistics: African nations on average are losing about 2-5% of GDP, and many are reallocatin up to 9% of their national budgets to cope with the impacts of climate change, including seasonal droughts and heavy flooding. This dire situation points to the necessity of bolstering early warning systems and meteorological services which can act as lifelines for many vulnerable communities across the continent.
Indeed, the prospective Early Warnings for All initiative, as pitched during the conference, aims to extend early warning systems to all segments of African society, particularly for the most vulnerable populations. Historically, 40% of the African population lacks access to early warning systems— the lowest rate globally. This initiative seeks to change the narrative and provide timely information about natural hazards, which is imperative for efficient disaster response.
While discussions at Abidjan are gearing up for future initiatives, they are also meant to amplify African voices leading up to COP29, ensuring the continent firmly addresses its unique challenges. These challenges, as stated by WMO’s Secretary-General Celeste Saulo, are only expected to escalate with the global climate undergoing rapid transformations. “Over the past 60 years, Africa has observed a warming trend more severe than the global average. 2023 has proven notoriously challenging, with multiple heatwaves and extreme flooding leaving devastating impacts across the region,” she cautioned.
Overall, the upcoming COP29 will prove pivotal not just for Africa’s dealings but for the global climate agenda. African nations are facing the challenge with renewed determination, armed with mutual strategic frameworks and goals to address climate change collectively. With the commitment to push forward new methodologies, strategies, and funding models, there’s hope for Africa to not only strengthen its climate resilience but also potentially reshape global climate action.
Results from this conference set the stage for broader discussions and actions at COP29, and conference organizers stress the unique opportunity for African nations to advocate for their climate priorities on the international stage. With heightened awareness and urgency surrounding the climate crisis, Africa's call for concrete, decisive action is expected to resonate loudly.
