By Jeff Kapembwa

The Second African Climate Change summit hosted by Addis Ababa closed last September with a unified voice by leaders on the continent to operate and collaborate on resolving challenges caused by El Nino and La Nina-induced challenges.

In a 155-page resolution by African leaders at the Addis Ababa Convention Centre-it was roundly agreed that the climate crisis was here to stay and continue inflicting the continent but that fighting in silos (individually) was not the solution, with a call for sustained financing.

The leaders emphatically noted that the continent was not a mere victim of climate change, but a resource endowed and proactive force in developing innovative, sustainable, and inclusive solutions that reflect the continent’s unique strengths and aspirations.

This uniqueness repositions Africa to strive to be a global hub for low-carbon manufacturing and green intra-Africa trade, leveraging frameworks like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to enable sustainable and inclusive economic development across the continent, and exert efforts to pursue a ‘green first’ pathway to economic development;

They underscored the importance of finalizing and operationalizing the Common African Position on Climate Change, Peace and Security (CAP-CPS) as a decisive step and advocacy tool towards a unified and strategic continental response to these interlinked challenges.

African countries, despite their low contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions, are the worst affected by the impacts of climate change and the least able to meet the costs of adaptation, resilience, sustainable development and mitigation.

There is dire need to accelerate mitigation action by Parties, with developed countries taking the lead to limit the increase in global temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre industrial levels.

It is further striving to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above levels based on the principle of equity and reflecting on common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capacities.

The summit noted the important role forests play in Africa, particularly the Congo Basin rainforest, in regulating global climate change. The work of the three Climate Commissions for the Congo Basin, the Sahel Region and the Island States – an initiative launched during COP22 and hosted by the Kingdom of Morocco in Marrakech, were all recognized.

It further acknowledged the contributions of other African climate-led initiatives such the African Adaptation Initiative (AAI) the African Adaptation Initiative (AAI) and the Africa Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI).

The Initiative for the Adaptation of African Agriculture to Climate Change (AAA), the Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA), and the Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative (AGII) was noted as a key point.

The leaders roundly recognised the Clean Cooking Initiative launched by the United Republic of Tanzania and Mission 300 and further acknowledged collaborative initiatives at sub-regional and local levels to adaptation and mitigation initiatives.

The leaders gave recognition of the role of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), led by Kenyan leader, Dr. William Ruto for the unified approach and the political leadership required for a new African vision that pursues climate solutions and financing for Africa’s resilient and green development.

Other observations and recommendations noted among the 155-points of interest was a reaffirmation and commitment to leaders ensuring there was an effective multilateral approach to combating climate change through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Paris Agreement.

“We reiterate our determination to implement them in accordance with the principles and provisions of the Convention, while emphasizing the achievement of sustainable development, the right to development and the eradication of poverty on the continent” read part of the statement.

The leaders Recalled Decision Assembly/AU/Dec.883(XXXVII) which requested the AUC to initiate the due process for the establishment of the African Climate Change Fund. The leaders were deeply concerned that Africa was warming faster than the rest of the world.

If the situation was not normalized, climate change will continue to impact the growth of African economies negatively as corroborated by the sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC’s AR6).

It was confirmed and noted that interventions that “prioritize equity, climate justice, social justice and inclusion, “lead to more sustainable outcomes; and recognize African countries.

This is, despite Africa contributing the least to global greenhouse gas emissions, but faces significant challenges in funding adaptation and mitigation efforts.

The leaders took cognisance of the indispensable role of robust, actionable, and Africa-relevant climate science in informing evidence-based policy, guiding effective investments, and measuring progress towards our climate and development goals.

The meeting noted that closing the data gap and enhancing scientific capacity across the continent is fundamental to designing interventions and that they are both effective and equitable

They stressed the urgent need to embed climate resilience within Africa, peace and security strategies, strengthen early warning and rapid response mechanisms, and ensure coherence between climate, security, trade, investments and development agendas.

The leaders underscored that climate shocks disrupt cross-border trade, supply chains, and infrastructure, while constrained investment flows limit Africa’s ability to adapt and industrialize.

Reaffirming the unwavering commitment to the full implementation of the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement and to strengthening the objectives of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

This should be channeled through ambitious and balanced actions on mitigation, adaptation, and should be enabled to implement its climate actions through provision of means of implementation by developed countries and guided by the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities as provided for in the Paris Agreement.

The leaders demanded stronger international commitments and partnerships to close the finance gap, of overall climate finance flows prioritized and made directly accessible to the most vulnerable countries, including Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Regional collaboration in research, innovation, and knowledge exchange, robust monitoring frameworks and strengthened partnerships between African nations, are all vital as they will accelerate climate-resilient development.

The leaders, seeking to deepen their approach to the climate impasse, seek strategic planning, more impactful implementation, and stronger regional coordination want to dialogue frequently unlike now.

“We propose that the Africa Climate Summit be convened every three years rather than biennially and be hosted by on a rotational basis within the five African Union regions with follow-up actions by the African Group of Negotiators (AGN) and AMCEN under the guidance of CAHOSCC, with the support of the AU Commission and the ACS Secretariat to ensure the effective implementation of commitments undertaken.”