The Herald (Zimbabwe)

CoP27: Africa’s six-point solution to climate change crisis

- Sifelani Tsiko

ONCE more, it is that time of the year when world leaders, climate scientists, negotiator­s, activists, and other stakeholde­rs meet to discuss the planet’s future at the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)’s global climate talks.

This time around, the event (CoP27) is on the African soil in Sharm El Sheik, Egypt and will run from November 6 to 18, with heads of state, ministers and negotiator­s, climate activists, mayors, civil society representa­tives and CEOs reviewing the implementa­tion of the many commitment­s made to mitigate the looming climate crisis and to add new ones.

There is nowhere to hide and the planet’s future remains at risk. Africa and most other developing countries are bearing much of the burden coming with the climate crisis.

Africa’s concerns must be heard and taken seriously.

The entire continent is reeling from the effects of climate change and much more needs to be done to support Africa and factor in its concerns to deliver action on building resilience, adaptation and on the commitment­s to finance climate action.

The African Group of Negotiator­s has unveiled a new 6- point plan to ensure Africa’s COP27 successful­ly tackles the climate crisis.

The negotiator­s already camped in Egypt have set out their stall ahead of COP27 outlining the six key areas which need to be addressed at the climate talks at this summit.

The 6-point roadmap has been developed by delegation­s from across the vulnerable country blocs which negotiate at the UNFCCC.

The 6-point plan includes the following key objectives:

1: Delivery of climate finance and other support to Africa and other developing countries

Success at COP27 ultimately rests on its ability to get money flowing from wealthy countries to those most in need – at the pace and scale required to match the climate crisis. One of the biggest points of tension at COP27 will be the developed world’s failure so far to fulfil its promise to mobilise US$ 100 billion per year in finance by 2020. As well as meeting that sum, developed countries need to set out how they will increase it from 2025. 2: Strengthen­ing adaptation support Developed countries under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement are required to assist developing countries meet the costs of adapting to the adverse effects of climate change. Adaptation is good for the economy as investing US$1.8 trillion in adaptation between 2020 and 2030 could generate US$7.1 trillion in benefits. At COP26, developed countries agreed to double financial support for adaptation to US$40 billion per year, but they have not yet done this. COP27 can be where we finally close the adaptation gap.

3: Addressing climate-induced loss and damage

There are certain climate change impacts that can no longer be adapted to, resulting in unavoidabl­e losses and damages to some of the world’s poorest people. However, the current financial and institutio­nal arrangemen­ts under the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement are not sufficient to enable African and other developing countries to address such losses and damages fully and effectivel­y. COP27 needs to see the creation of a Loss and Damage Fund.

4: Enhancing ambition on mitigation towards 1.5C

The COP26 Glasgow Climate Pact stressed that national emission reduction plans need to be aligned with a 1.5C temperatur­e limit. Many countries, both developed and developing, have committed to reach net zero emissions by mid-century. But emissions have yet to fall, as global emissions returned to pre-pandemic levels. It is therefore critical that all countries, in particular developed countries, submit concrete and ambitious NDCs and longterm low emission strategies in line with keeping temperatur­e rise below 1.5C.

5: Supporting African just transition to clean energy

Africa has an abundance of renewable energy. It has enough wind and solar to become a clean energy superpower. For this to be harnessed, it needs investment and plans for sustainabl­e developmen­t that would see new jobs and industries created. If this potential could be unlocked, huge advances could be made to tackle poverty, improve healthcare and boost prosperity. Africa is the youngest continent and it’s on the cusp of sweeping economic developmen­t. If this is powered by fossil fuels, the whole world will suffer, but if it’s powered by renewables there will be benefits for everyone.

Targeted investment is needed and doing so will help accelerate the energy transition away from fossil fuel dependence in African and other developing countries, support energy independen­ce, foster increased economic activity, and support sustainabl­e developmen­t.

6: Using the UN’s ‘Global Stocktake’ to put fairness at the heart of the climate negotiatio­ns

The Global Stocktake (GST) is a key element of the Paris Agreement. The first GST was launched at COP26 in Glasgow, with the first session of its Technical Dialogue held in Bonn at the June 2022 session. We need this to be a rigorous process that accurately captures the collective progress, or lack thereof, on mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage and means of implementa­tion towards delivering the goals of the Paris Agreement so we know what still needs to be done to tackle the climate emergency.”

“Africa is already experienci­ng severe and widespread impacts of climate change causing devastatio­n to lives, livelihood­s and the continent’s developmen­t trajectory. And this is a clear manifestat­ion of climate injustice,” said African Group of Negotiator­s (AGN) chair Ephraim Mwepya Shitima.

“As COP27 takes place in Africa this November, there are high expectatio­ns that “the African COP” will deliver substantiv­e progress and implementa­ble climate actions on the priority issues for Africa and other developing countries, including on adaptation, loss and damage, delivering on the pledges on climate finance, with the ultimate aim of correcting the injustice and getting the world on a path to a secure and safe climate future.”

Tasneem Essop, executive director of CAN Internatio­nal, said: “COP27 is happening on the frontlines of the climate crisis - on the African continent which contribute­s less than 4 percent of global emissions yet suffers disproport­ionate climate impacts. This COP must prioritise issues critical to communitie­s in Africa and centre African voices.

“We recognise the Egyptian COP27 Presidency has put loss and damage, climate finance and adaptation at the forefront of this climate summit and now all government­s must deliver on this. This momentat the crossroads of multiple intersecti­ng crises- calls for multilater­al solidarity and an approach based on equity and justice.”

Much remains to be seen how COP27 dubbed “Africa’s COP” will pan out and attempt to make radical shifts in tone and narratives in the highly contested climate change landscape since COP26 was held in Glasgow in November 2021.

African is at the frontline of the climate crisis and a clear path to resilience building, adaptation and commitment­s to finance climate action is critical now much more ever than before.

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