• The call comes a week to COP28 through a report by Power Shift Africa titled Africa’s Agenda for COP28.
The groups have called for swift establishment of Loss and Damage Fund as this is critical for providing timely and effective support for recovery and adaptation.
Continental civil cociety organisations have issued a compelling call for decisive and unprecedented actions at COP28 to combat the escalating climate crisis.
The call comes a week to COP28 through a report by Power Shift Africa titled Africa’s Agenda for COP28.
It urges a strong response at COP28 to address the unique challenges of the current climate emergency by focusing on key areas.
The report places urgent emphasis on the finalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund, advocating for robust financial and technical institutional arrangements.
It further calls for the swift establishment of the fund as this is critical for providing timely and effective support for recovery and adaptation.
Founder and Executive Director, Power Shift Africa, Mohamed Adow said 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. 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," Adow said.
Central to the report is the call for a well-defined mandate for the Just Transition Work Programme.
The report calls for a programme that echoes the principles of justice and inclusivity and aims to support Africa and other developing nations in transitioning to low-carbon economies.
A core demand from the report is the unambiguous definition of the Global Goal on Adaptation, coupled with a call for doubling adaptation finance.
The report underscores the necessity for prioritising low-risk concessional loans and grants over high-risk ones that risk countries falling into greater debt.
Coordinator for Africa Climate Movement-of-Movements Lorraine Chiponda said Africa has the potential to lead the world in renewable energy.
She said Africa is uniquely positioned on the strength of wind, solar and geothermal resources than any other region
"Many African nations still cling to fossil fuels, risking a polluted and perilous future. Binding ourselves to obsolete fossil fuels impedes the realisation of clean and affordable renewable energy's benefits. Hosting COP28 in a major oil-producing nation would be apt, marking the end of fossil fuel expansion and heralding a future fueled by clean energy," she said.
The Power Shift Africa report insists on clear commitments and tangible progress in climate finance negotiations.
It advocates for the fulfillment of the long-overdue $100 billion pledge by developed countries.
Africa’s Agenda for COP28 report is a thorough review of pre-2020 commitments, climate finance and technology transfer within the framework of the Global Stocktake (GST) process.
The report underscores the need for resolute global efforts to limit temperature rise, emphasising equity, responsibility and concrete actions.
Post-COP26, where a 1.5°C limit was endorsed, the report calls for an acceleration of mitigation efforts.
Lead Campaigner 'Don't Gas Africa' Dean Bhebhe said hosting COP28 in a major oil-producing nation underscores the irony we face.
"Let's use this as a wake-up call to set a firm deadline for phasing out fossil fuels. African nations united by a collaborative spirit, must break free from development constraints worsened by the climate emergency. Solidarity and decisive action are our tools to combat the climate crisis,"Bhebhe said.