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Political goodwill key for conserving climate in Africa, say experts

farmer

Farmers have been urged to use environment-friendly methods. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Political goodwill will be critical to the full realisation of sustainable and equitable development in Africa, experts say.

Panelists and delegates attending the 7th Climate Change and Development in Africa (CCDA-VII) conference in Nairobi last week said political will is what Africa needs if it is to achieve sustainable and equitable development and ensure it leaves no one behind as espoused by agenda 2030 for sustainable development.

“Member States have to take seriously the implementation of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) as not meeting the 1.5C will exacerbate food insecurity on the continent in a period where we are experiencing a massive increase in our population triggering more demand for food,” said Nassirou Ba, Economic Affairs Officer at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

NDCs are at the heart of the Paris Agreement, and embody efforts by each country to reduce national emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Mr Ba said Africa needs to change the way it produces and consumes food to ensure its agricultural system becomes carbon-less and green.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Daisy Mukarakate said it was possible for Africa to achieve food-energy-water security.

Ms Mukarakate said all that is required is political will adding that Africa is currently paying and losing money to remain where it is.

“We are already spending on adaptation, paying to stay stagnant by focusing on adaptation and not building resilience,” said Ms Mukarakate.

“Our aim as Africa is to progress on our indicators but we will not achieve the sustainable growth we so yearn through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2063 if we remain stuck on adaptation.”

Ms Mukarakate said most African countries were struggling to align the various development agendas, including Agendas 2063 and 2030, into their national development plans and budgeting processes.

Former chief negotiator and chairman of the Group77 and China Lumumba D’Aping said Africa was being held back by the ‘rampant culture of corruption and impunity’.

Mr Lumumba said political leaders should go to COP24 Climate Change Conference prepared to argue Africa’s case and avoid being bulldozed into supporting decisions that will come back to haunt the continent.

“What is sad is that politics has become a trade where people go to the office to make money instead of addressing serious issues facing the continent and its people,” said Mr D’Aping.

He said this should change to allow the continent to push for solutions to the myriad of challenges facing Africa.

Mr D’Aping said African leaders and negotiators should demand a major amendment to the Paris Agreement at COP24. The amendment should explicitly say what Africa requires to survive the onslaught of climate change.

“It’s a civilization challenge because Africa as we know it will not exist in 2063. If Africa is serious about its development agenda in the face of climate change it should appoint a Climate Commissioner at the African Union Commission,” said Mr D’Aping.

During the conference, African governments were urged to genuinely invest in science and its scientists for the development of climate resilient pathways to beat climate change.