African countries expect concrete financing plans

The 2022 United Nations climate change conference, or COP 27, should address funding for climate adaptation and mitigation for developing countries, while spelling out implementation plans and prioritizing African interests, said South African researchers.

Romy Chevallier, a researcher from think tank South African Institute of International Affairs, said the "African COP" should be the "implementation COP" with a clear road map on how to fund various climate policies and projects.

COP 27 will take place in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt from Nov 6 to 18. Although it emits less than 5 percent of greenhouse gases globally, Africa has been the most seriously impacted by climate change. The unprecedented drought in the Horn of Africa over the past four decades has once again highlighted the climate plight Africa faces.

Chevallier stated there is a strong expectation from African countries that the COP 27 presidency, Egypt, will represent developing countries' and particularly African interests very well. The COP president has an influence on the agenda and guidance on discussion, she said.

A key issue to be discussed during COP 27 would be honoring the pledge made by developed countries during previous UN climate change conferences to contribute $100 billion to developing countries annually to support climate adaptation and resilience.

The commitment has not been met and is a key outcome of a successful COP 27, Chevallier said.

"There is a clear and obvious expectation that COP 27 will deliver the outcomes related to climate financing that is balanced. There is a call from Africa for it to be balanced between mitigation and adaptation projects. Africa has been calling on the international community to put more emphasis on money for adaptation, resilience building and delivery of promises made. They want more clarity on the road map of financial delivery going forward," said Chevallier.

Meanwhile, many African countries will be looking forward to some robust discussion and clarity on how the global community will support the implementation of the just transition from coal to clean energy. Chevallier pointed out that Africa calls for specific financial facilities for adaptation, loss or damage as a result of climate change and would be hoping to get the concessions at COP 27.

She added, "Africa is endowed with natural resources and looking at mechanisms to assist in the conservation, restoration and sustainable management of the ecosystems and natural services they provide, so that they can help Africans with climate change responses to make the continent more resilient."

The South African government has said it wants to see a just transition to clean energy where those who are employed in the so-called unclean energy sector and those in the value chain are trained to make a living. Chevallier said geopolitical issues would surface at COP 27 with many countries looking to be energy independent following the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The Johannesburg-based African Union Development Agency's head of environment and climate change, Kwame Ababio, said COP 27 must come up with a "concrete agreement" on adaptation and mitigation, which is one of the most important climate change goals.

Ababio said COP 27 must come up with a clear goal on how to raise the $100 billion by 2025. He said there must be an update on the resolution of the Glasgow and Paris Agreement on the global carbon market and how that would become operational.

"Our African COP must expand ahead after the Paris Agreement, which laid the groundwork. It should parachute us to implementation. We want a clear road map for developed countries to meet their commitments. We want a transparent program on the agreement of COP 26," he said.

Ababio said many African ministers have been meeting and agreed to contribute 2.9 percent of their GDP to tackle climate change. Many African countries use coal mostly to drive their economies. COP 26, held last year in Glasgow, the United Kingdom, resolved that countries should make a transition from reliance on coal to clean energy at their own pace depending on their national interests and priorities.

He said African countries cannot be "rushed" to dump coal "immediately". He said Africans want to be helped for loss or damage to their livelihoods, restoration of the land and for economic loss. Ababio said Africa is committed to a "just and equitable transition" that won't affect the majority of people.

Ababio said African innovators will showcase their ideas to tackle climate change during COP 27. He emphasized that Africa needs financial and technical support to move away from a reliance on coal to clean energy.

The author is a freelance journalist for China Daily.