In the words of climate pan-Africanists like President William Ruto and AFDB head Akinwumi Adesina, it’s time for Africa to air and answer the continent’s Climate needs. The COP28 in the UAE is an excellent opportunity for the respective leaders, groups, and nations to advance their environmental agendas.
Africa heads to the COP28 summit, arguably the improved party in reaching sustainable climate goals. Different nations like South Africa are increasing their adaptation of renewable energy, including solar and wind renewable power. Additionally, Ethiopia is increasingly becoming a global green energy powerhouse and aiming for carbon neutrality by 2025.
Despite the progress, African nations still suffer the most from climate change. This is regardless of being the lowest emitter of world’s pollution. Therefore, African Climate leaders should push for a balance, especially in the distribution of climate finance. Also, different leaders and climate activists are pushing to revise Africa’s carbon markets framework.
Women also advocate and fight inclusivity in the global and African Climate agenda. For instance, Senegalese rural women demonstrated on 25th November, calling for climate justice. According to environmental lawyer Mouhamadou Lamine Seck, the protests were to remind the decision-makers to play their role at the Convention of Parties (COP28) edition.
Africa is also aiming for environmental and climate self-sustenance. Different leaders, like Tanzania’s President Suluhu Hassan, are urging fellow leaders to utilize the available resources in Africa. This is instead of depending on foreign aid, mainly coming through debt. She emphasized this during the recently concluded Arusha Climate Change Summit.
Africa’s future generation is at stake if climate action is delayed. Respective parties, including the head of state, should prioritize bringing investors on board. Also, they should use the COP28 platform to empower environmental-driven youth and women.
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