By Oforiwa Darko
Concerns over the negative impact of climate change have strengthened fears that environmental degradation and demographic pressures will displace millions of people in Africa and create serious social upheaval. Most scientists studying the potential impact of climate change have predicted that Africa is likely to experience higher temperatures, rising sea levels, changing rainfall patterns and increased climate variability, all of which could affect much of its population.
This year alone, reports reveal that 1.8 million Africans were displaced during a prolonged drought while others experienced catastrophic flooding and cyclone Freddy left a trail of destruction in some parts of Africa, especially Malawi and Mozambique.
AFRICA CLIMATE SUMMIT 2023
Some Climate experts say Africa’s abundant natural resources, youthful population, critical minerals and arable land offer many opportunities to drive low-carbon green growth and spur climate action throughout the continent and the world. The vision of what this green growth could look like is expected to emerge at the Africa Climate Summit in Kenya this week.
Tagged ‘Driving Green Growth and Climate Finance Solutions for Africa and the World’ the inaugural Africa Climate Summit, hosted by President of Kenya, William Ruto, aims to address the increasing exposure to climate change and its associated costs globally, particularly in Africa. With the expectation of increasing climate crises, urgent action is required to mitigate these challenges.
According to President William Ruto, Climate action is not a Global North issue or a Global South issue, however, it is our collective challenge because it affects all of us.
“We need to come together to find common, global solutions. It will be a greater opportunity for us to accelerate global energy transition and deliver African solutions to the COP 28 in Dubai”.
Leaders at the summit are expected to make an African Leaders Nairobi Declaration on Green Growth and Climate Finance Solutions and call on AU member states and supporting partners to champion its delivery.
The Summit will serve as a platform to inform, frame, and influence commitments, pledges, and outcomes, ultimately leading to the development of the “Nairobi Declaration”.
AFRICA CLIMATE WEEK 2023
Organized in parallel with the African Climate Summit, from 4th to 8th September, Africa Climate Week will provide a platform for policymakers, practitioners, businesses and civil society to exchange on climate solutions, barriers to overcome and opportunities realized in different regions.
Addressing African Journalists at a Climate Training Programme organized by Power Shift Africa in partnership with MESHA Science, Kenya’s climate envoy, Mohamed Ali, said that the Africa Climate Summit would be a great opportunity for journalists to critically analyze climate financing and all funding arrangements Africa has made as well as other related projects that have been completed through adaptation financing.
“Journalists should step up their reportage by demanding key answers from African leaders to help promote the climate transformation agenda within the African Continent”.
The Africa Climate Week will consider four major system-based tracks with a view to providing region-focused contributions to inform the global stocktake at COP 28 in Dubai on energy systems and industry, Cities, urban and rural settlements, infrastructure and transport, Land, ocean, food and water and Societies, health, livelihoods, and economies.
An estimated 30,000 delegates including Heads of State and Government have arrived in Nairobi, Kenya to attend the Africa Climate Summit. The inaugural Africa Climate Summit is organized by the African Union Commission in collaboration with Kenya as the host country.
