AFRICA’s resolve to domesticate the fight against the nagging climate change crisis will be entrenched next month when over 95 Heads of States and Governments converge during the COP 27 in Egypt’s shore-city, Sharma Sheik, amid cries for financing for adaptation.
Egypt, which is hosting Africa’s third climate change discussions, after Glascow’’s COP 26 left many campaigners unsatisfied on various unfulfilled pledges including US$100 billion financing pledged in 2015 in addition to a US$20 billion sought for mitigation and other urgent remedies has drafted 11 ‘Thematic Days’ to brainstorm and secure a ‘win-win’ status.
According to a tentative programme expected to run from November 9-17 and availed to FRA, several leaders drawn from across the globe, Africa included, the leaders will seek lasting and durable solutions to energy transition and food security during opening sessions.
On November 9, delegates and their leaders will seek to establish the fate of the finances sought for the implementing climate actions and scaling up ambition which has been pivotal to the UNFCC process and the Paris Agreement negotiations.
A statement by Egyptian Ambassador to Zambia, Moataz Anwar, the call for finance still linger after the Glascow meeting last year which reiterated
the centrality of finance as a catalyst for progress on all aspects of the global climate agenda.
Many interested Parties had demonstrated the political will to deliver on finance commitments. The Finance meeting seeks to address several aspects of the climate finance ecosystem, including but not limited to, innovative and blended finance and financial instruments.
Others are, tools and policies that have the potential to enhance access, scale up finance and contribute to the transition envisaged and needed, including those related to debt for environment swaps.
Other meetings include the Science Day planned for November 10 which will evaluate strides made during 2022 which has witnessed several landmark science reports from IPCC, UNEP, and other institutions which have host panel discussions to discuss topical issues including oceans.
Topic on the youth and the future generations will follow, arguably to ensure that the voice of Youth and Future Generations is heard loud and clear; in addition to engaging them to ensure their representatives are taken on board.
Decarbonization will be a topical issue at which several energy intensive sectors and companies seek to review plans and policies and actions aiming to reduce their carbon footprints and to gradually move towards decarbonization.
Adaptation and Agriculture has been lined up at which adaptation and resilience, being critical will be discussed. Adaptation day will also provide an opportunity to discuss the whole gamut of adaptation related issues including agriculture, nutrition, coastal areas livelihoods .
