By Jeff Kapembwa
The Pan African Climate Justice Alliance-PACA, a coalition of over 1,000 campaigners for climate and environmental justice issues and other players, met in Kenya with focus on lasting solutions to actions to redress Africa’s fate.
The players called for streamlined financial support and interventions to save the continent from human induced ‘shocks’ dwarfing growth of the over 3 billion populated continent despite its abundant potential.
The 12-February one day Consultative Review on the Outcome of COP29 and the Road to Belém meeting attracted cross-cutting environmental and climate change watchdogs and themed: “Securing climate justice for Africa in a multipolar world in the Year of Reparations”.
The meeting various shortcomings that need urged redress to save the continent from further climate change purge under a sustained partnership as climate change climaxes.
Key Takeaways:
UK Ambassador to the African Union, Adam Drury, regretted the unabated climate induced actions by rich countries through emissions of Green House Gases-GHG and called for a united voice to seek redress.
He noted that while Africa contributes less to global GHG emissions, there is need to find urgent remedy, driven by streamlined climate financing systems through the African Union to address climate change-related challenges.
Dr. Amany Asfour, President of the Africa Business Council and Chair of FEMNET, emphasized the crucial role of non-state actors in the pursuit of climate justice.
Africa, she argued, has become a significant burden bearer in the face of climate catastrophes, a call for increased investment in green and blue economies, as well as in renewable energy.
Arguably, she noted, the journey toward climate action cannot overlook the private sector, which is deemed less empowered.
According notes from the consultative meeting, Dr. Mithika Mwenda, Executive Director of the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), stressed the essence of countries strengthening their partnerships.
He cites South-South and North-South collaborations, which Africa could be considered and help in advocating what was right for the continent in fighting climate driven that affect environment and other related sectors vulnerable to climate change.
Programme Officer for Environment and Climate Cluster at the Regional Development Cooperation Africa, Beza Berhanu, representing Joachim Beijmo, and Head of Regional Development Cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden in Ethiopia, called for urgent need for climate finance to enable African countries.
The expeditious action was inevitable in redressing the impacts of climate change.
She called for a substantial increase in funding and urged the involvement of the private sector in the process.
Dr. Augustine Njamnshi, Chair, Technical and Political Affairs, Pan African Climate Justice Alliance warned against the implication of the evolving geopolitics to Africa’s Climate Agenda.
His intervention revolved around a deep concern for the intersection of climate change, social justice and international collaboration, especially in the context of Africa’s development challenges and its implications on Africa’s climate diplomacy.
Climate Crisis and War
Dr. Augustine emphasized the ongoing “climate war” causing significant harm to people and suggested that countries often prioritize military funding over climate action, which leads to social injustices.
Resource Curse in Africa
Discussing the ‘resource curse’ on the continent, he noted countries rich in resources suffer from poverty, and human rights abuses due to exploitation and conflicts over these resources. He shared examples of DRC and Sudan.
Global Development Commitments:
He noted that the global commitments to development, such as the Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals, are at risk while questioning the effectiveness of repeated commitments without tangible action.
Climate Finance Issues:
Dr. Augustine Njamnshi cited the unfairness in climate finance, where loans are often more prevalent than grants.
“This unfairness creates a “reverse flow” of money, where developing countries end up paying more back to developed nations than they receive for climate action.” The report, seen, cites him as saying.
Rise of Right-Wing Movements:
Dr Augustine further noted the rise of the right-wing movements in the global North which threaten multilateral efforts to combat climate change. He described the situation as a call for a critical reflection on the actions of progressive movements.
There is urgent need for a review of past commitments made, while stressing the need for African nations to take a stand and not miss the current opportunities for climate action and justice.
Dr. Augustine Njamnshi, Chair, Technical and Political Affairs, Pan African Climate Justice Alliance shed light on the implication of the evolving geopolitics to Africa’s Climate Agenda.
His intervention revolved around a deep concern for the intersection of climate change, social justice and international collaboration, especially in the context of Africa’s development challenges.
Analysis of the evolving context and its implications on Africa’s climate diplomacy:
Climate Crisis and War:
Dr Augustine emphasized the ongoing “climate war” that is causing significant harm to people and suggested that countries often prioritize military funding over climate action which leads to social injustices.
Resource Curse in Africa
He discussed the resource curse where he noted countries rich in resources suffer from poverty, and human rights abuses due to exploitation and conflicts over these resources. He shared examples of DRC and Sudan.
Global Development Commitments
He noted the concern that global commitments to development, such as the Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals, are at risk.
He questioned the effectiveness of repeated commitments without tangible action.
Climate Finance Issues:
Dr Augustine Njamnshi highlighted the unfairness in climate finance, where loans are often more prevalent than grants.
He explained that this unfairness creates a “reverse flow” of money, where developing countries end up paying more back to developed nations than they receive for climate action.
Rise of Right-Wing Movements
Dr. Augustine noted the rise of the right-wing movements in the global North which threaten multilateral efforts to combat climate change.
He described the situation as a call for a critical reflection on the actions of progressive movements.
He urged for a review of past commitments made and stressed the need for African nations to take a stand and not miss the current opportunities for climate action and justice. Dr. Hanne Louise Knaepen,
Head of Climate Action and Green Transition at ECDPM called for the continent to continue focusing on Adaptation Despite the challenges.
Hanne urged Europe to maintain its focus on climate adaptation efforts as this is crucial for sustaining international climate action and maintaining diplomatic relations with African nations.
The geopolitical Shifts.
Knaepen noted the ongoing war in Ukraine and other geopolitical factors which she argued are leading to budget reallocations within Europe, which complicates further the landscape for climate finance and adaptation efforts.
Partnership Dynamics:
There is greater need to position Africa as a leader in managing its adaptation needs within international partnerships. Support should align with Africa’s priorities.
The gap between agreements.
According to Dr. Cromwell there is a growing gap between climate agreements and actual implementation and without reengineering climate diplomacy, efforts may devolve into mere formalities without concrete outcomes.
Collective:
There is for collective advocacy based on collective action based on shared responsibilities, stressing that adaptation should not treat merely as a local issue but as a global concern that requires collaboration between all actors and stakeholders.