Posted on July, 28, 2022 at 09:11 am
In November and December 2022, the world would gather, once again, in Egypt for yet another round of climate change negotiations.
The 27th Conference of Parties (COP27) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has been dubbed the “African COP”, with the hope that the critical concerns of the continent on the phenomenon of climate change will be prioritized at the talks.
Already, the last conference in Glasgow (COP26) could not meet the aspirations of Africa, especially in delivering aspirations in climate adaptation finance and recognizing the special needs and circumstances of Africa.
“The Special Needs and Circumstances for Africa must be recognized, not because Africa is special but because Africa is the most climate vulnerable and science agrees to that,” says Keriako Tobiko, Kenya’s Environment and forest Cabinet Secretary.
This interest is emphasized by the Chair of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN), Ephraim Mwepya Shitima, who says the first priority at COP27 should be on the special needs and circumstances of Africa.
For him, the Conference should move away from ‘business as usual’ because Africa “cannot afford to be academic about the needs of Africa at COP27”.
The climate crisis is impactful on the continent, yet the African voice on the global climate negotiations continues to be low.
For the continent to be heard, Mr. Tobiko expects scientists, political leaders, media and other interest groups to work together.
He observed the agenda for COP27 will not be achieved “unless we plan ourselves and work together, strategize and speak in one voice”.
Amplifying the Africa Climate Story
According to the United Nations, increasing temperatures and sea levels, changing precipitation patterns and more extreme weather are threatening human health and safety, food and water security and socio-economic development in Africa.
Although Africa is responsible for only 0.5% of historical emissions and less than 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, studies show that the continent is considered the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
Floods and droughts, the main drivers of climate change in Africa, have increased, at times causing conflicts among different communities across the continent. These phenomena have destroyed millions of lives and livelihoods especially among smallholder farmers on the continent.
Media plays an important role in understanding and acting on climate issues. However, majority of journalists in Africa lack capacity and resources to report on climate change.
Source: My Joy Online