Africa stands at a turning point in global climate diplomacy. At the 13th Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa in Addis Ababa, negotiators and activists united around a bold message: model-driven data alone won’t cut it. It’s time for African science to lead the way.
Science at the Center
Richard Muyungi, chair of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN), opened the session by challenging the status quo. "African science must take center stage in guiding climate action and adaptation," he said, calling for needs-based finance that matches the continent’s real-world priorities.
Counting the Cost
Data speaks volumes: in 2024, more than 110 million Africans faced floods across the Sahel, droughts in the south, and record heatwaves in the north. Yet, Africa secures only 3–4% of global climate finance—far short of the estimated $3 trillion needed by 2030 to meet its climate goals.
Finance as Trust
"Climate finance is not charity," Muyungi reminded delegates, "but a right, a duty, and a measure of trust." Developed nations must step up funding for adaptation projects in Africa and other least developed regions.
Voices for Justice
Mithika Mwenda, executive director of the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance, highlighted the gap between Africa’s low emissions and its high vulnerability. She decried the exclusion of frontline communities from decision-making and urged a major overhaul of international financial systems—starting with full, timely access to the Loss and Damage Fund.
For young entrepreneurs and innovators, the message is clear: invest in homegrown research, back green startups, and use digital platforms to amplify climate justice. From sustainable tourism in the Rift Valley to solar-powered farms in the Sahel, Africa’s resilience story is just beginning.
With conference sessions running through Sunday, participants are mapping a future where local science, fair finance, and inclusive governance drive climate resilience from Lagos to Cape Town—and beyond.
Reference(s):
Africa calls for reframing global climate action with science, finance
cgtn.com
