COP28: Negotiators call for equity, finance, just transition to navigate critical climate talks in Africa
Negotiators at the COP28 in Africa have urged for a Global Stocktake that promotes equity and a just transition, emphasising the risk of widening the developmental gap with the rest of the world if not properly designed.
Zambia’s Minister of Green Economy, Collins Nzovu, stressed the need for tangible outcomes aligned with Africa’s aspirations, particularly in climate adaptation.
“We should design a robust and comprehensive work programme including elements, scope, and modalities here in Dubai, that recognizes the different pathways for achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement,” he said.
DAT gathered that concerns were raised about the lack of progress, especially in finance and adaptation.
Mwenda Mithika from the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) highlighted the critical issues of adaptation and finance, warning that the conference would be deemed a failure if not addressed.
“If these crucial issues are not captured in the final declaration then we shall declare COP28 a failure,” said Mr Mithika.
“The issue of adaptation and adaptation finance is critical for us. We have only US $39 million pledges, loss and damage pledges need to be honored. The green climate fund still remains a shell. These need to be clearly addressed,” Mithika added.
Jean Su from the Climate Law Institute urged developed countries, responsible for disproportionate pollution, to take moral responsibility by halting fossil fuel production and providing necessary finance.
“These countries have to step‐up with finance because they have disproportionately polluted the planet, and this is their moral responsibility,” said Su.
The African Group of Negotiators (AGN) underscored COP28 as a crucial moment for evaluating the Paris Agreement’s implementation, emphasizing survival in the face of persistent droughts, storms, and rising seas.
Mr. Nzovu stressed the urgency to address the adaptation gap. On Loss and Damage, positive steps were noted, but calls for more resources to address the financial needs were emphasized.
Reemphasising the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres’ call, Nzovu said, “Lives and livelihoods are being lost and destroyed, with the vulnerable suffering the most. We are in an adaptation emergency. We must act like it. And take steps to close the adaptation gap, now.”
Finance was highlighted as critical for implementing climate agreements, with concerns about the shortfall in meeting mobilization goals.
“We hope the pledges will be honoured. The loss and damage requires billions, if not trillions, of dollars. We, therefore, call for more resources in order to actualise the intended purpose of the Fund, addressing loss and damage.
“Developed countries have not met the US$ 100 billion per year mobilization goal by 2020. The goal of doubling adaptation finance from 2019 levels by 2025 is an undertaking on paper only,” said Nzovu.
The Global Stocktake was deemed crucial, requiring practical outcomes that recognize Africa’s developmental constraints.
“GST must explicitly recognise Africa’s developmental constraints and challenges and facilitate the provision of the support and development space for the continent to exploit its natural resources and endowments for achieving Sustainable development goals,” he said.
“The GST outcome must enable us to achieve the purpose of the Paris Agreement in the fullest sense,” Nzovu noted.
The AGN emphasised the importance of just transition pathways, linking them to sustainable development and poverty eradication.
Noteworthy achievements at COP28 include a promising China‐US bilateral, the Bezos Earth Fund’s $100 million pledge, and a $7 trillion annual finance commitment towards climate, biodiversity, and land degradation crises.
