Nairobi, 5 September 2023 (TDI): The Africa Climate Summit, currently taking place in Nairobi, Kenya, marked a significant gathering of leaders, activists & experts dedicated to addressing the pressing issue of climate change in Africa and beyond.
Organized by the Kenyan government and the African Union (AU), this inaugural summit will run from Monday to Friday and parallel with the Africa Climate Week.
The central theme of the Summit is “Driving green growth and climate finance solutions for Africa and the world.”
One of the driving forces behind this summit is Kenyan President William Ruto, who has been a vocal advocate for holding wealthy nations accountable for their contributions to climate change.
Ruto emphasized the need to make emitters accountable along with establishing a system that works for everyone.
The Summit’s primary objective is to influence climate commitments and outcomes, including the creation of the Nairobi Declaration, a blueprint for Africa’s transition to green energy.
It is pertinent to note here that Africa faces severe climate challenges, with extreme weather events affecting millions of people.
Since the beginning of 2022, approximately 4,000 lives have been lost, and 19 million individuals have been impacted by these events.
Furthermore, a 2022 UN report estimated that Africa loses between $7 billion to $15 billion annually due to climate change. To mitigate these effects, African countries require an average of $124 billion annually.
Unfortunately, they have received only a fraction of that amount, with $28 billion in funding, raising concerns about the funding gap. The Africa Climate Summit aims to be a turning point in addressing this funding gap.
Organizers are committed to delivering climate-positive growth and finance solutions for both Africa and the world.
They seek to present a united front ahead of the upcoming COP28 summit scheduled for November 30 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Several high-profile dignitaries are attending the summit, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, US Climate Envoy John Kerry, COP28 Director-General Majid Al Suwaidi, and COP28 President Sultan Al Jaber.
Cabinet Ministers and Business Executives from across the continent are also participating in the climate talks. However, the Summit is not without controversy.
African nations have high expectations, particularly regarding the $100 billion-a-year pledge made at COP15 in Copenhagen to assist in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and aiding African countries in coping with the climate crisis.
Hundreds of civil society groups have called for meaningful action at the summit, emphasizing the need to prioritize Africa’s adaptation finance needs and the communities most affected by climate change.
Critics have also raised concerns about the Summit’s agenda, accusing some organizations of pushing a pro-Western agenda focused on carbon markets and climate-positive approaches.
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The Summit has around 40 partners, but only a quarter of them originate from the African continent. President Ruto, who chairs the committee of African governments on climate change, has faced accusations of doublespeak.
While advocating for environmental conservation, he lifted a six-year logging ban in July, which reverses previous efforts to protect Kenyan forests.
Thus, the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi represents a crucial effort to address climate change challenges in Africa.
With high-level attendees and a focus on climate finance, the summit seeks to bridge funding gaps and promote sustainable solutions while navigating controversies and criticisms.
