Kenya has made a decisive step in tackling the global climate crisis by pinpointing key priorities for the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference, COP29.
The move builds on the momentum from the recent Nairobi Climate Summit, which underscored Africa’s unified stance on climate action and sustainable development.
Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, speaking at a three-day workshop for the Africa Group of Negotiators on Climate Change in Nairobi, emphasized that climate finance must be at the heart of climate diplomacy at COP29. “Currently, climate finance is flowing to the continent at an insufficient scale and in unequal directions,” Duale stated, highlighting the urgent need for reform to make finance available, affordable, and accessible to developing economies.
Securing a strong, favorable finance deal at COP29 is deemed vital for enabling effective climate action across the continent.
The Kenyan government has identified this as a top priority, recognizing that without adequate financial support, Africa’s ability to combat climate change will be severely hampered.
Alongside climate finance, Kenya has spotlighted adaptation, loss, and damage as critical areas of focus. Duale noted that adaptation has often been overshadowed by mitigation efforts, despite their crucial importance to the continent as climate impacts worsen. “COP29 is a pivotal opportunity to prioritize adaptation, loss and damage and secure the necessary financial and technical assistance,” he said, adding that innovative funding mechanisms, including private sector investments, will be key to closing the adaptation finance gap.
The issue of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) also features prominently in Kenya’s agenda.
While countries are building momentum towards a new set of NDCs, Duale pointed out that the African continent has not received sufficient financial and technical support to implement, track, and report on its current NDCs effectively.
He called for greater clarity on the amount of current and future funding, capacity building, and technical support required to implement NDCs, stating that this vagueness undermines the transparency of the support framework under the Paris Agreement.
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Kenya’s push for a collective African voice on climate issues underscores the recognition that climate change is a challenge that knows no borders.
Environment Principal Secretary Festus Ng’eno emphasized the importance of a regional approach, noting that “Africa has already made considerable progress in integrating climate action into development initiatives, supported by various strategies and actions.”
The ongoing preparation of the Africa Position Paper, which will reflect the continent’s priorities, is a testament to this unified approach.
The paper will be presented to the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment and the Committee of African Heads of State and Governments on Climate Change next month for consideration and adoption, ensuring that Africa speaks with one voice at COP29.
As Kenya leads the charge in shaping Africa’s climate agenda, the significance of the Nairobi Declaration cannot be overstated.
This landmark document, emerging from the recent climate summit, serves as a foundation for the continent’s collective stance on climate action and sustainable development.
Kenya’s proactive approach in identifying and addressing key climate priorities showcases the country’s commitment to leading Africa’s climate action efforts.
By focusing on crucial areas such as climate finance, adaptation, and NDCs, while promoting a unified African voice, Kenya is positioning the continent to play a pivotal role in global climate negotiations.
The upcoming COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, presents a critical opportunity for Africa to assert its priorities and secure the necessary support for effective climate action. As Duale aptly put it, “By 2050, negative climate impacts could cost African countries $50 billion annually. Our priority, therefore, is to increase our ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change.”
