Africa’s crucial moment as COP28 kicks off

The Conference of Parties to the United Nation Framework on Climate Change (COP28) kicks off today in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The conference takes place in what is already known to be the hottest year ever recorded in human history and as the impacts of the climate crisis wreak unprecedented havoc on human life and livelihoods around the world.

This year’s COP marks the conclusion of the “Global stock take,” the first assessment of global progress in implementing the 2015 Paris Agreement.

World not on track to keep within 1.5°C limit

Taking note of the 6th Assessment Report (AR6) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), stated that the world is not on track to keeping within reach the 1.5°C limit agreed in Paris and that global emissions must be cut by 43% in this decade;

It does recognize that countries are developing plans for a net-zero future, and the shift to clean energy is gathering speed, but it makes clear that the transition is nowhere near fast enough yet to limit warming within the current ambitions.

The global stocktake must be a catalyst for greater ambition in meeting the Paris Agreement’s goals as nations prepare to submit revised national climate action plans by 2025. It lays out actions on how to accelerate emissions cuts, strengthen resilience to climate impacts, and provide the support and finance needed for the transformation.

There is no time to waste

“We don’t have any time to waste. We need to take urgent action now to reduce emissions. At COP28, every country and every company will be held to account, guided by the north star of keeping 1.5°C within reach,” said COP28 President Dr. Sultan Al Jaber.

Dr. Sultan further added that, “All parties should be prepared to deliver a high ambition decision in response to the global stock take that reduces emissions while protecting people, lives and livelihoods.”

Over 160 world leaders are headed to Dubai to step up and provide an unprecedented response to the global climate crisis whilst get humanity back in this race.

“COP28 cannot be just a photo-op. Leaders must deliver – the message is clear. And as leaders leave Dubai after the opening summit, their message to their negotiators must be equally clear: don’t come home without a deal that will make a real difference,” said UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell.”

Climate finance stands at the heart of this transformation. Replenishing the Green Climate Fund, doubling financial resources for adaptation and operationalizing the loss and damage fund are key to keeping 1.5°C within reach while leaving no one behind.

More funding needed for renewables revolution

“The reality is that without much more finance flowing to developing countries, a renewables revolution will remain a mirage in the desert. COP28 must turn it into a reality,” Stiell added.

Progress on climate finance at COP28 will be crucial to build trust in other negotiation areas and to lay the groundwork for an even more ambitious New Collective Quantified Goal for climate finance, which must be in place next year. It will also set the stage for a just and inclusive transition to renewable energy and the phasing out of fossil fuels.

Kenya’s President William Ruto and Chair of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) will lead the political leadership on African vision to pursue climate change and development agenda in Dubai.

Africa urges a strong response at COP28 to address the unique challenges of the current climate emergency, by focusing on 6 Key areas which include; Loss and Damage, Just Transition Work Programme, Global Goal on Adaptation, Climate Finance Commitments, Global Stocktake Process and Mitigation towards 1.5C.

“It has never been more vital for African nations to work together and unite our collective voice at the COP28 climate summit. Africa is on the front line of the climate crisis and many of the impacts afflict us all, whilst the solutions are common across the continent,” Mohamed Adow, Founder and Executive Director at Power Shift Africa notes.

“We need to see our leaders working to ensure rich countries deliver on their promise of climate finance to help Africans adapt to climate change and compensate the most vulnerable who have suffered losses and damages. We need to see that momentum continue in Dubai.”