by Ayele Addis Ambelu
“The issue of climate change, like peace and stability, is the main agenda of the continent.”
President Sahle Work Zewde spoke at the African Climate Summit in Nairobi, Kenya. The president said that Africa deserves to invest in research institutes that work on climate change, adding that millions of people were harmed by drought, floods, and locust swarms in Ethiopia in the last decade caused by climate change. On the other hand, Ethiopia is working on the issue of building a climate-proof green economy in the ten-year development leader plan to prevent climate change.
Climate change puts 300 million people at risk of starvation in Africa – COP28 President Dr. Sultan Al Jaber said the number of Africans displaced by drought and floods has tripled in Kenya’s Climate Change.
The African Climate Change Conference continues to be held in Nairobi, Kenya. Africa’s share of global greenhouse gas emissions does not exceed 3 percent.
However, the continent has become the primary bearer of climate change. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry of the United Arab Emirates and President of COP28, who spoke at the African Climate Change Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, explained that 1/5 of the continent’s population is at risk of starvation due to drought and floods. In the last three years, the number of displaced citizens has tripled due to climate change. He said that Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth shows an average decline of 5 percent yearly.
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, president of COP28, said that Africa is being severely tested by climate change, but it also has a role to play as an example for the rest of the world. He said Ethiopia’s green development ensures food security and creates job opportunities for many. He also praised Kenya’s efforts to make all energy sources renewable by 2030.
He said that the electricity that sub-Saharan countries get from solar energy has increased sixfold in the last five years, which shows the distance that Africa is going to reduce the risk of climate change. Noting that half of Africa’s population still does not have access to electricity, he stressed that the financial provision should be increased to fill the energy gap with renewable options.
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber said that 250 billion dollars are needed to reduce the challenge of climate change in Africa, but the continent has received only 12 percent of the support. He also said that his country, the United Arab Emirates, will continue strengthening the large-scale projects started by developing renewable energy in Africa.
Another proposal presented at the conference is that Ethiopia will collect 34 billion dollars from the country in the next 30 years for climate change. Ethiopia is participating in the first African climate conference that is being held in Kenya.
The country is said to need $170 billion by 2050 to combat climate change. Ethiopia is participating in the first African Climate Summit in Kenya. The government is said to need $170 billion by 2050 to combat climate change. In July, Ethiopia announced its climate change-oriented plan to guide its development in the next 30 years.
Ethiopia’s DAGOS, which is said to be designed as a starting point for the 2015 Paris Agreement, provides a “long-term low-emission and climate-resilient development strategy” without a plan.
With this plan, the country needs 170 billion dollars in “climate finance” in the next 30 years to prevent and cope with its gains and losses.
Of this, 20 percent (about 1.9 trillion birr) will be covered by the country’s capacity (public finance), the Minister of Planning and Development (Dr.) who designed the plan told us at the African Climate Summit in Nairobi, Kenya.
While raising the debate on international climate change funding, it is believed that Western countries with high emissions should provide money to continents such as Africa that are being harmed by climate change.
This year’s COP28 conference, which focuses on climate change, will be hosted by the United Arab Emirates. The meeting is expected to advise on the implementation of the proposals reached in the Paris meeting.
The first African Climate Summit kicked off in Nairobi, Kenya. The conference is deliberating on the future of the African continent, plagued by drought and barrenness.
Countries like Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya have experienced the worst drought in 40 years. As a result, a food security crisis has occurred in the Horn of Africa. About 10 million animals died.
According to the African Development Bank, countries will lose between seven and 15 billion dollars in economic losses each year due to climate change-related disasters. This figure is said to increase to 50 billion dollars by 2030.
At the conference, African leaders are expected to support efforts to recover from and cope with climate change quickly.
Meanwhile, the stakeholders are debating decisions that focus on the solutions and actions of the conference. The “Nairobi Declaration,” which embraces this, is expected to be approved on the last day of the meeting.
African leaders unanimously adopted the “Nairobi Declaration” at the first African Climate Summit in front of world representatives, international organizations, development partners, and other participants.
After closed discussions, the leaders announced the agreement: He wants Africa to thrive in the face of climate change.
The African Position Statement, Call to Action, highlights encouragement, recognition, passion, and focus areas.
He also asked for recognition of the continent’s population growth and other capabilities. He said that Africa is not only a victim of climate change but also a solution.
The agreement document says there are only seven years left to complete the African Union Agenda 2030. It is said that 600 million Africans do not have access to electricity, and 970 million do not have clean cooking facilities.
The international community has been asked to reduce emissions quickly, take responsibility, honor its promises, and help the continent’s fight against climate change.
He said that for African countries to have a stable middle economy by 2050, there is a need for investments that are compatible with the environment.
Saying that more work is expected in raising funds for global development and climate action, He stressed that no country should be forced to choose between development and climate change measures.
It is said that environmental taxes on trade should be multilateral rather than unilateral, exclusive, and arbitrary.
World leaders have been asked in the Nairobi Agreement to impose a carbon tax, especially on oil, aviation, and water transport.
He suggested that the financial system should be developed in a way that is suitable for Africa and that the issues of credit and relief should be considered.
