World leaders who converged in Baku, Azerbaijan for the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) agreed to draw global attention to issues surrounding climate change.
Experts say trillions needed to support poorer nations in adapting to and mitigating climate change, as the current $100 billion in annual support falls short.
Although they are now arguing for at least $1 trillion annually, they are sceptical about financing pledges and progress at COP29.
Apart from the concern of fewer high-profile leaders present, the absence of major carbon emitters like the U.S. and China could also affect the outcome.
The African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) adopted the African common position, highlighting the continent’s key priorities.
Although the African countries submit nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to the UNFCCC, there has not been corresponding support for the implementation of the ambitious contributions.
Experts believe that to achieve their NDCs, an estimated amount of US$2.8 trillion would be needed by the African nations between 2020 and 2030.
“The continent has been warming at a faster rate than the global average. From Algeria to Zambia, climate-driven disasters are getting worse, inflicting the most suffering on those who did least to cause them.
In Africa, as in all regions, the climate crisis is an economic sinkhole, sucking the momentum out of economic growth. In fact, many African nations are losing up to 5% of GDP as a result of climate impacts,” observed Simon Stiell, UNFCCC Executive Secretary.
The African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change (AGN) is prioritising the need for ambitious climate finance outcomes, said AGN Chair, Ali Mohamed, in his presentation on Africa’s priorities.
