The twelfth Convention on Local weather Change and Improvement in Africa (CCDA-XII) commenced right this moment in Abidjan, bringing collectively a various coalition of key stakeholders to confront the pressing challenges posed by local weather change throughout the continent.
Held alongside the African Ministerial Convention on the Atmosphere (AMCEN) particular assembly forward of COP 29 in Baku, CCDA-XII goals to unite leaders, policymakers, consultants, and advocates to discover revolutionary options, share greatest practices, and forge strategic partnerships that may speed up Africa’s transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient future.
In his opening deal with, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Atmosphere, Jacques Assahoré Konan, underscored the magnitude of the local weather disaster, stating, “Combating local weather change is the best problem humanity has confronted within the final century.” He highlighted the disproportionate influence on Africa, which contributes lower than 4% of worldwide greenhouse gasoline emissions but bears the brunt of climate-related penalties. “Adaptation to those hostile results is a significant concern for Africa, and securing ample financing is essential. The theme of this convention, ‘Financing Local weather Adaptation and Resilience in Africa,’ and the experience gathered right here supply a beacon of hope for the continent,” he stated.
Hanan Morsy, ECA Deputy Govt Secretary and Chief Economist, emphasised the vital shortfall in local weather finance. “Regardless of the 2009 pledge of $100 billion yearly, solely a fraction of the estimated $1.3 trillion wanted to assist international local weather resilience has been mobilized. The decline in international local weather finance for adaptation, slightly than the anticipated doubling by 2025, poses a severe risk to the Sustainable Improvement Objectives (SDGs) and current resilience investments,” she famous.
Hanan Morsy known as for revolutionary financing options that don’t exacerbate Africa’s debt burden, leveraging the African Continental Free Commerce Space (AfCFTA) to channel investments into adaptation efforts. She additionally careworn the significance of creating sturdy public-private partnerships and interesting stakeholders in any respect ranges to scale up adaptation investments.
Josefa Correia Sacko, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Improvement, Blue Economic system, and Sustainable Atmosphere (ARBE) on the African Union Fee, highlighted the immense monetary necessities for Africa’s local weather commitments, stating, “African international locations will want roughly USD 3 trillion to completely implement their Nationally Decided Contributions (NDCs) by 2030. Nevertheless, securing ample financing for local weather motion stays a major problem. That’s the reason we’re gathered right here right this moment—to deliberate on key actions, and methods, and to solidify Africa’s place as we assess the outcomes of COP 28 and chart our course ahead for COP 29 in November this 12 months in Baku, Azerbaijan.”
She additional emphasised the necessity for unity within the continent’s method, saying, “I urge all of us to talk with one collective voice as we put together for COP 29. Our focus should be on mobilizing local weather finance at scale for Africa, with a transparent emphasis on securing grants slightly than loans or debt. We should prioritize financing for impactful tasks and be certain that carbon markets work in our favour.”
Antony Nyong, Director of Local weather Change and Inexperienced Development on the African Improvement Financial institution highlighted the necessity for recognition and compensation for Africa’s important contributions to international mitigation efforts. “Our precedence should be fostering climate-resilient improvement whereas balancing adaptation with climate-informed investments. Nevertheless, this will solely be achieved with ample financing, expertise switch, and capability constructing, in accordance with the precept of widespread however differentiated duties,” he said.
CCDA-XII will concentrate on vital themes reminiscent of local weather finance, inexperienced progress, local weather justice, and regional cooperation. The convention offers a significant platform for African leaders, policymakers, and consultants to collaborate on methods that may information the continent in the direction of a sustainable and resilient future.
As CCDA-XII unfolds, it’s anticipated to catalyze daring actions and commitments that won’t solely deal with Africa’s fast local weather challenges but additionally safe a affluent and sustainable future for generations to come back.
CCDA is convened yearly forward of the annual international Convention of the Events (COP) by a coalition of partnerships generally known as ClimDev-Africa which incorporates the African Union Fee, the United Nations Financial Fee for Africa (ECA), and the African Improvement Financial institution (AfDB). CCDA is organized in collaboration with the Pan African Local weather Justice Alliance (PACJA) and different regional establishments. This 12 months, it’s being hosted by the Authorities of Côte d’Ivoire from August 30 to September 2, 2024.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Financial Fee for Africa (ECA).