September 4th to September 8th
My key highlights by Regan Okia
African’s Vision for a Sustainable Future
In a resounding display of commitment to environmental sustainability and economic
growth, the African Union, in collaboration with the Kenyan government and under the
leadership of President William Ruto, recently hosted the African Climatic Summit. This
landmark event provided a platform for African leaders to address critical issues
surrounding climate change, renewable energy, and the immense potential of the continent’s
youth population.
Nairobi, the host city, garnered praise from President Ruto for its unique blend of natural
beauty, boasting lush forests and expansive national parks. Nairobi is also home to the
headquarters of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), making it a fitting
location for discussions on global environmental challenges. Kenya’s historical significance as
the “Cradle of Mankind,” due to sites like the Olduvai Gorge, added to the event’s prestige.
One notable highlight was Kenya’s commitment to regional economic development,
exemplified by the plan to abolish visas for travelers from Uganda. This move underscores
the importance of fostering collaboration and integration among African nations.
The central theme of the summit revolved around the urgent need for African nations to
achieve sustainable economic growth while safeguarding the environment. President Ruto
acknowledged Africa’s relatively small carbon footprint, emphasizing the continent’s
potential to lead in decarbonization efforts and promote green growth.
Highlighting Africa’s most valuable asset – its burgeoning, educated, and innovative young
population – President Ruto emphasized the need to provide social well-being without
compromising environmental sustainability. This demographic advantage positions Africa to
drive innovation and entrepreneurship for a sustainable future.
The summit also shed light on Africa’s abundant renewable energy sources, which could play
a pivotal role in transitioning to a green economy and reducing carbon emissions. President
Ruto stressed the importance of harnessing these resources to unlock new economic
opportunities and propel African nations into multimillion-dollar economies.
Acknowledging the challenges posed by inadequate institutional capacity and financial
resources, President Ruto called for careful scrutiny and adaptation of policies, regulations,
taxation, and climatic justice measures at local and national levels. The summit was lauded
for its ability to attract investors and foster innovation, serving as a crucial driver of
sustainable development across the continent.
The Absentees and the Global Climate Divide
However, amidst the enthusiasm and commitment exhibited at the African Climatic Summit,
the absence of key African leaders sent a powerful message about the complex dynamics of
global climate action.
Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni chose not to attend due to the presence of the
US envoy on climate change, John Kerry, hailing from a country recognized as one of the
world’s major polluters. Museveni’s absence was rooted in a desire not to be lectured by
nations responsible for significant carbon emissions. His reluctance to engage with a US
representative also bore the weight of past tensions, stemming from America’s response to
Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ legislation.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa formally withdrew from the summit, reflecting his
government’s resistance to pressure from ecological advocates to abandon coal in favor of
renewable energy sources. With 80% of South Africa’s energy derived from coal, internal
challenges, such as power shortages or “load shedding,” influenced Ramaphosa decision.
Nigeria, as a leading oil producer, declined to attend, citing concerns about being a
bystander in discussions led by the world’s worst emitters. This highlighted the global divide
on climate action and emphasized the need for equitable representation and shared
responsibilities in addressing the climate crisis.
African Development Bank’s commitment to Youth and Climate Finance
In a significant development, African Development Bank President Akinwunmi Adesina
announced a new $1 billion facility to accelerate climate financing for African youth
businesses. This initiative, known as Youth Adapt, is a collaboration between the Bank and
the Global Centre on Adaptation. It encourages young entrepreneurs and small and medium
enterprises in Africa to submit innovative climate change adaptation solutions.
President Adesina emphasized that Africa’s youth should not be content with small-scale
initiatives but rather be at the forefront of climate action. Over the past two years, Youth
Adapt has provided more than $1.5 million to 33 young entrepreneurs across 19 African
countries, with some seeing a 200% increase in profits.
In a powerful statement, Ban Ki Moon, the 8th Secretary-General of the UN, urged African
youths to transcend national boundaries and hold their leaders accountable for climate
promises. Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, the Arts, and Sports, Ababu
Namwamba, shared Kenya’s ambitious plan to plant 15 billion trees in 10 years, with the
recruitment of a “Green Army” of one million youth as Climate Action Warriors.
The event also featured the presentation of the Youth4Adaptation Communiqué, which
called for youth inclusion in climate decision-making and a doubling of climate adaptation
financing by 2025.
The $650 Billion Carbon Market: Opportunities and Concerns for Africa
The African Climatic Summit witnessed the announcement of several significant deals,
including the UAE’s commitment of $450 million and an additional $200 million pledge from
Climate Assets Management to support the African Carbon Markets Initiative (ACMI).
These financial injections represent a major step towards harnessing the potential of carbon
markets to combat climate change and drive sustainable development in Africa.
Mr. John Kerry, the US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, emphasized the vast
opportunities presented by carbon markets to attract investments, including concessional
funds. However, he stressed the need for these markets to maintain integrity in their
operations.
Carbon markets, at their core, are trading systems where carbon credits are bought and
sold. They provide a mechanism for companies or individuals to offset their greenhouse gas
emissions by purchasing carbon credits from entities that have invested in emission
reduction projects.
Yet, some voices, including Mr. Mohammed Adow, the Director of Powershift, raise valid
concerns about the design of carbon markets. Adow argues that these markets tend to offer
pollution permits to wealthy industrialized countries and companies, effectively locking them
into high emission pathways while shifting the burden of emissions reduction to African
nations. He goes further to describe this as a new form of neo-colonialism.
The debate surrounding carbon markets underscores the need for careful consideration of
their implications, especially in the context of African nations striving to balance economic
growth with environmental sustainability. On one hand, carbon markets can provide a
valuable avenue for attracting much-needed investments and financing for climate mitigation
and adaptation projects. This influx of funds can support renewable energy initiatives,
reforestation efforts, and sustainable agriculture practices, among other vital activities.
However, it is crucial that these markets are structured in a way that promotes fairness and
avoids exacerbating historical inequalities. African countries, many of which have lower
historical emissions and are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, should not
bear a disproportionate burden in the fight against global warming.
To address the concerns raised by Mr. Adow and others, international cooperation and
stringent regulatory frameworks are essential. The integrity of carbon markets must be
upheld to ensure that they effectively reduce global emissions while respecting the principles
of equity and justice. African leaders, in collaboration with the international community,
should actively engage in the design and governance of these markets to safeguard the
continent’s interests.
References
https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/1-billion-boost-access-climatefinance-africas-youths-african-development-bank-announces-64125
https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/why-uganda-south-africa-and-nigeriaskipped-africa-climate-summit-4362116