The inaugural African Climate Summit commenced on Monday, with heads of state and other attendees emphasizing the need for a stronger global voice on climate change, which disproportionately affects the African continent despite its low contribution to global emissions. The event, co-hosted by the Kenyan government and the African Union, kicked off with a ministerial session attended by numerous heads of state who aim to enhance Africa’s global influence and secure additional financing and support for climate initiatives. The summit began with speeches from young individuals who demanded greater representation in climate discussions.
Kenyan President William Ruto highlighted the potential economic opportunities that come with addressing the climate crisis, including new financial structures, Africa’s vast mineral wealth, and the vision of shared prosperity. He emphasized that the intention of the summit was not to dwell on grievances but to explore the vast potential and opportunities associated with climate action.
However, there is some frustration on the continent as African countries are often urged to adopt cleaner development practices, while many of the promised financial supports have yet to materialize. Mithika Mwenda of the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance expressed disappointment at the inadequate amount of climate assistance received by African nations, which constitutes only a fraction of what is required and falls short of the annual $100 billion pledged by wealthier countries.
Kenya alone needs $62 billion to implement its plan to reduce emissions. Mohamed Adow of Power Shift Africa highlighted the need for funding from countries that have benefitted economically from Africa’s hardships. The summit is expected to attract notable attendees, including John Kerry, the U.S. government’s climate envoy, and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who expressed his concern about finance as one of the injustices exacerbated by climate change.
In addition to the summit, a “people’s march” on climate took place in Nairobi, where protestors demanded an end to fossil fuel exploration and extraction in Africa, particularly highlighting their opposition to the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline funded by TotalEnergies. Activists argue that redirecting subsidies from fossil fuels to solar power is crucial for scaling up renewable energy sources. The United Nations estimates that the projected loss and damage to Africa due to climate change could amount to $290 billion to $440 billion between 2020 and 2030.
Despite Kenya’s efforts in renewable energy and banning single-use plastic bags, challenges persist, such as the recent lifting of a ban on commercial logging, which raised concerns among environmental watchdogs. Kenya derives 93% of its power from renewables but faces difficulties in other climate-friendly practices. The summit aims to address these challenges and highlight the importance of climate resilience in Africa.
In conclusion, the African Climate Summit signals Africa’s determination to amplify its voice in global climate discussions and secure the necessary financing for climate initiatives. The summit aims to capitalize on the economic opportunities associated with addressing climate change while advocating for the fair distribution of resources and fulfillment of promised financial support from wealthier nations.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
