COULD the COP28 outcomes have been better for Africa? The two-week convergence of thousands of global leaders, business, academia and interest groups sought to map the way forward in combatting climate change effects.
While a few wins were recorded the inequality between the Global North and the Global South remains glaring. Dubai did not do much in terms of shifting power.
Africa, in particular, remains vulnerable due to underdevelopment and power imbalances. The COP process by nature is complex and intricate.
However, this piece will highlight major points of interest and contestation using an Afrocentric lens.
Loss and damage fund
One of the greatest outcomes for COP28 was the operationalisation of the loss and damage fund.
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The fund was set up after the realisation that polluters were responsible for the losses and damage caused by their operations to developing countries.
It is a form of reparative mechanism for global industrial giants to shift aid to developing countries.
African and other developing countries will need around US$400 trillion annually to recover from these losses.
To date, US$700 million has been committed to the fund. Of note was the United States’ US$17,5 million contribution to the fund.
This is not only inadequate, but highlights the feeble efforts by developed countries to repair the damage.
Fossil fuel phase out
The urgent need to shift to renewable energy was smothered in flowery and ambiguous language of “phasing down”, “as soon as possible”.
The reality is that COP28 did not provide concrete insights on how fossil fuel production will be halted.
Africa also finds itself in this quagmire. For the continent to transition, funding to the tune of US$30 trillion is required annually until 2030.
This cements the reality that for there to be a just shift, Africa’s transition needs to be fully-funded before discussions on the speed of transition can be tabled.
Food systems transformation
Africa is plagued by hunger and malnutrition. The Africa Centre reports that there has been a 150% increase in the number of Africans facing acute food insecurity since 2019 and over 149 million people are currently food insecure on the continent.
These challenges have been exacerbated by climate change and conflict, yet food systems transformation failed to take centre stage at the negotiations.
Although 159 countries endorsed the United Arab Emirates Food and Agriculture declaration, most discussions focused on agriculture yet agriculture is not food.
There is need to urgently invest in transitioning from industrial forms of agriculture to sustainable models such as agroecology.
Relegation of justice
Climate change is not spurious and unfounded talk. It is lived reality for billions of people who face its brutal impact on a daily basis.
From droughts, floods, heatwaves and migration due to scarcity of resources, climate change becomes more than a human rights issue.
COP28 failed to adequately address issues to do with justice in its resolutions.
The relegation of justice means that heavily impacted communities will continue to suffer the effects.
Half-hearted attempts to deliver on climate justice are regrettable as there is so much at stake.
Agreements must be coupled with action otherwise COPs become a perpetual cycle of talk without tangible outcomes.
Carbon credit markets
Before we discuss the inadequacies of the discussions of the carbon credit market, carbon credit markets are a false solution.
A carbon credit is a measurement of carbon that is removed through activities such as planting trees. These credits are then sold to businesses or governments.
The carbon market essentially says that polluters can continue polluting as long as they can pay for doing so.
Africa is attractive for these carbon markets as it has vast land and forests.
The exploitation of nations will continue as long as carbon credits are placed on the table.
Recommendations
- Climate change is a threat to humanity and must be treated with the urgency it deserves.
- Any crisis that threatens the existence of humanity should not be used as a money-making scheme.
- Countries must follow up their commitments with action.
- Approaches to solving the climate crisis should be people centric with focus being on equity and justice.
- There is need for parties to increase adaptation financing.
- Parties should recognise the link between climate change and other issues and have multi-dimensional approaches to solve the challenges.