The three-day African Climate Summit (04th – 06th September2023) has ended with African Heads of State and Government adopting a declaration highlighting the continent’s potential as a green powerhouse. The declaration will serve as a basis for Africa’s common position in the global climate change process, and calls for a new financing architecture that is responsive to Africa’s needs including debt restructuring and relief, as frustration mounts over the high cost of financing on the continent.
The declaration also calls for rich carbon polluters to honor the long-standing climate pledges to poorer nations and urges world leaders to back a proposed carbon tax on fossil fuel trade, maritime transport and aviation. The continent is vulnerable to the growing impacts of climate change, but has huge clean energy potential.
The hope for Africa, is the fact that the summit secured $23-billion in investment from various stakeholders. These funds will go towards “green growth, mitigation and adaptation” across the continent.
