AFRICAN EXPERTS SLAM COP29 AS A MISSED CHANCE FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE
Baku, Azerbaijan — The COP29 climate talks wrapped up with African negotiators, experts, and activists expressing deep dissatisfaction over what they described as a failure to address the urgent climate needs of the Global South. Despite months of preparation and advocacy, the summit delivered an agreement widely criticized for lacking ambition and inadequate financial commitments.
Key Facts About COP29:
- Venue and Context: COP29 was hosted in Baku, Azerbaijan, against a backdrop of worsening climate disasters globally, including devastating floods in Libya and prolonged drought in the Horn of Africa.
- Main Focus: Negotiations centred on climate finance, with African nations demanding $1.3 trillion annually by 2035 for mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage efforts. The agreement, however, set a target of only $300 billion annually through mixed funding.
- Key Outcomes:
- A global climate finance “floor” of $300 billion annually was established, far short of the demands by developing nations.
- No definitive targets were agreed upon for adaptation or loss and damage.
- A vague roadmap for increasing financing was outlined, to be revisited at COP30 in Brazil.
- Notable Absences: The talks saw minimal participation from high-profile leaders of developed nations, with critics accusing them of avoiding accountability for historic emissions.
African Leaders React:
- Iskander Erzini Vernoit, Executive Director of the Imal Initiative, condemned the agreement as “a staggering failure of imagination and solidarity,” warning that it jeopardizes the Paris Agreement’s goals.
- Evans Njewa, Chair of the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group, labeled the deal a betrayal, stating, “Our pleas were met with indifference.”
- Fadhel Kaboub, a prominent economist, called for stronger geopolitical strategies, such as leveraging Africa’s critical minerals, to demand better climate action from wealthier nations.
The Global South’s Call for Justice:
African and other Global South representatives emphasized the continent’s disproportionate vulnerability to climate change despite contributing less than 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Wafa Misrar of Climate Action Network Africa criticized the $300 billion target as “an insult to humanity,” warning of severe global consequences if Africa’s needs are ignored.
The Road Ahead:
Ali Mohamed, Chair of the African Group of Negotiators, acknowledged the disappointing outcome but urged African nations to continue pushing for climate justice. “Words must be translated into action. We will hold them accountable,” he said.
COP29’s shortcomings underline the urgent need for bold action at COP30, scheduled for Brazil in 2025. For Africa, the stakes are existential. As Wafa Misrar noted, “When Africa loses, the world loses.”
With escalating climate disasters and growing frustration over inaction, COP29’s legacy could fuel greater unity and resolve within the Global South. Whether this translates into concrete progress remains to be seen.
