Despite Africa’s low contribution to global GHG emissions, the continent still bears the brunt of the impacts of climate change. Consequently, it cannot afford to be passive to climate action. This is not only because of the impacts of climate change in the continent, but also because through climate action, the continent can address most of its pressing developmental needs.
National climate commitments, popularly known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) remain a key staple of climate action as they serve as guide to greenhouse gas emissions reductions, and indeed holistic plans for leveraging climate actions for adaptation and sustainable development. In that vein then, NDCs can be critical to Africa’s combined drive for climate action and sustainable development. Indeed, Africa’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) must not only be ambitious but also feasible, reflecting cross country unique realities. If these ambitious commitments are not aligned with the national development plans of each African country, it will render Africa ineffective in its climate action efforts.
As preparations for COP30 in Belém advances, the Society for Planet and Prosperity brought together African stakeholders to interrogate the NDCs status in the continent with the view of charting a path forward that not only frames engagements at COP30, but also beyond.
It was thus agreed and recommended that:
- African countries must begin to see the climate crisis as not only an existential threat, but also a developmental one which demands sustained action by government, the private sector, and communities.
- The spirit of multilateralism must not be allowed to die despite the actions of a few countries who have refused to recognise the historical impact of the actions of developed countries on climate change.
- NDCs can serve as vehicles through which Africa can collaboratively work with developed countries to address climate change and sustainable development in line with the Paris Agreement on the one side, and the Sustainable Development Goals, on the other.
- Africa remains a solution to the climate crises and thus developed countries must continue to provide the requisite financial (grant and concessional based), technological, and technical support needed for the implementation of NDCs and other forms of climate action.• Community-led innovative solutions within Africa should be explored and expanded to address climate change and the implementation of NDCs through bankable project pipelines.
- A whole-of-society approach is critical to NDCs development and implementation and thus, gender, youth, and community opinions must be fully integrated. Women and young people should have equitable access to climate finance to scale their innovative ideas, and be given platforms and decision-making roles that enable meaningful contributions to climate policy.
- At COP30, African countries must stand together with one voice, build alliances, and ensure that negotiations reflect current African priorities. In that vein, the Baku to Belém Roadmap; Article 6 and Carbon Markets; Article 9.1; Global Goal on Adaptation; among others must be priority areas of focus.
