Africa Climate Week CARE Asks

 

Currently, Africa is warming up faster than the rest of the world, on average, and is impacted the most due to Climate Change. From cataclysmic cyclones to increased pest infestations; devastating droughts to disastrous floods, the climate crisis is decimating communities and destroying lives across the continent. Yet, Africa contributes less than 4% of the world’s total emissions. According to current projections, climate change will be responsible for an additional 100 million people living in poverty by 2030. Although the impacts of climate change are being felt across the globe, the consequences for poor and marginalized communities especially in Africa are by far the most severe. African governments are bearing the brunt of the enormous costs of climate change impacts. 

The Africa Union in partnership with the Kenyan government will host the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, Kenya from Monday 4th September 2023. The Summit provides a unique opportunity for the continent to raise the urgency in addressing the climate emergency and protecting the rights and livelihoods of its citizens. Countries must recognize this ongoing suffering caused by climate change and stand in solidarity with the vulnerable in action as well as words. CARE urges African leaders to put the African people above all personal and collective political and economic interests and call on them to listen to the voices of their people, especially the youth, women, indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable groups, who have been hit the most by the consequences of climate change.  

CARE recognizes that developed countries have historical and current responsibilities in causing and exacerbating the climate crisis and their continued failure to provide adequate support to the most vulnerable countries and communities. CARE expects that the discussions at the Climate Summit will uphold the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities which must continue to guide global climate action and underpin the common African position. African leaders must therefore come up with a clear plan and strong declaration that calls on developed countries to fulfil their historical responsibilities towards climate change and provide adequate and predictable finance, technology transfer, and capacity building to support locally-led adaptation, mitigation, and address loss and damage in Africa. 

The summit is also an occasion to build momentum and solidarity for the African agenda at COP28 and beyond by highlighting African countries' common interests and aspirations in achieving low-carbon, climate-resilient, and inclusive development.