49 African Parliamentarians spanning 20 nations have formally conveyed their grievances to the G7, primarily focusing on demands and recommendations related to climate change, credit, and climate finance. This action follows a series of extreme weather events in Africa, including severe heat waves in the Sahara and Northern regions, as well as floods in East and Southern Africa.
The parliamentarians’ concerns stem from the ongoing escalation of global warming, which poses significant threats to the continent. Their main appeal is for increased climate finance to enable efforts in limiting warming to 1.5°C by 2030.
Their argument is grounded in Africa’s abundant natural resources, such as wind, which has the potential to generate 250 times the world’s current power needs. Moreover, the continent already produces over 40% of the world’s solar energy.
However, African nations face significant financial constraints hindering investment in these resources. As of 2022, only 0.8% of the $495 billion global investment in renewable energy was allocated to Africa. The parliamentarians also highlight the disproportionately high costs associated with implementing projects in Africa, which are seven times higher than elsewhere.
Therefore, the G7 must prioritize African concerns during the upcoming Italy Summit from June 13th to 15th. The parliamentarians stress the urgent need for investment in renewable energy, which could alleviate the continent’s energy crisis. Access to reliable energy resources would enable governments to initiate crucial projects and support their citizens.
Finally, the 49 representatives urge the G7 to consider debt forgiveness and financial reforms. They emphasize that Africa bears the worst impacts of climate change, while contributing the least to global pollution.
Add a Comment