Climate action ideals waning a major global talks?

When the richest countries in the world met at the 50^th G7 leaders’ summit in Alberta, Canada, climate action was not a priority on their agenda. 

 

But in a crucial time to raise ambition to avert a climate catastrophe, these countries are expected to be leading the phase out of fossil fuels and the transition to renewable energy, which would lead to more prosperity, cleaner air and reliable energy.

 

Civil society organization, 350.org, has expressed disappointment at the lack of climate leadership, urgency and ambition from world leaders.

 

“European leaders arrived at the G7 with plans to build more nuclear and expand fossil gas, pushing LNG not to solve the climate crisis, but to score points in trade relations with Trump. Europe claims climate leadership, but backing more gas infrastructure in a year of record heat and extreme weather is reckless. This summit should be about figuring out how to phase out fossil fuels and triple renewable energy capacity by 2030 — not climate hypocrisy,” said Nicolò Wojewoda, Europe Regional Director, 350.org.

 

The G7 includes the most polluting countries and some of the largest fossil fuel expanders, Canada and the United States. These nations bear the historic responsibility to contribute climate finance to the tune of $1.3 trillion annually in non-debt-creating support for Global South nations. 

 

Bonn meeting and climate emergency

 

On the road to COP30 in Brazil, the mid-year UN climate talks opened in Bonn, Germany, to advance key negotiations, with UN climate chief, Simon Stiell, pleading that “we need to demonstrate to the world that climate cooperation can deliver - now more than ever.”

 

According to the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Africa has suffered annual losses of $7 billion due to climate change between 2010 and 2019. This figure could rise to $50 billion by 2040 if the high-emissions scenarios continue, and could cause a 2-4% reduction in Africa's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth per year by 2040, and a 10-25% reduction by 2100.

 

It's therefore crucial to provide urgent finance specifically dedicated to adaptation, loss and damage to help countries prepare for future displacement, livelihood disruption, and losses.

 

At the Bonn Climate Talks, the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change (AGN) has prioritized Adaptation, Finance, Just Transition, Mitigation, Clean Cooking and Mission 300. 

 

Clean cooking and energy access are two important initiatives aimed at addressing Africa’s energy poverty and overall contribution to the continent’s sustainable development agenda.

 

“Africa’s energy poverty is well documented; it is for this reason that our leaders under the auspices of the African Union, endorsed and declared Mission 300 and Clean Cooking initiatives as flagship programmes to transform the continent from its current state of energy poverty. We need to find a way of ensuring this agenda is embraced by all of us,” said Chair of AGN, Dr. Richard Muyungi.

 

Africa climate aspirations

 

Ahead of the 62^nd session of the UN Climate Change Subsidiary Bodies (SB62) in Bonn, the AGN emphasized the importance and power of Africa’s unity in global negotiations.

 

African civil society, under the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), has also reminded negotiators, observers, and Parties that the outcomes of this conference must reflect the lived realities, aspirations, and urgent needs of the world’s most climate-vulnerable continent.

 

In this regard, Africa’s voice must shape the direction of global climate discussions and action.

 

A few days into talks, PACJA has been alarmed by the sluggish pinto of proceedings and delays in adopting the agenda.

 

“This signals the beginning of yet another manoeuvre orchestrated by developed country partners to keep the frontline communities in Africa and other vulnerable countries under the bondage of the climate crisis,” said PACJA.

 

The first day of the negotiations ended without agreement on the agenda particularly because parties could not agree on the most crucial matter – climate finance – with special reference on article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement which is clear on the obligation of the developed country partners in providing resources to developing countries for climate action.

 

“We reiterate that negotiations in Bonn this year must reflect the urgency in dealing with the ever-elusive question of financing climate action,” said PACJA.

 

Ahead of COP30 in Brazil, groups like the G7 are expected to seize the opportunity to reinforce their climate commitments, ensuring the vulnerable can access the right support to adapt to the realities of climate change.

 

By Kofi Adu Domfeh