By: Yodit Admasu
African View, December 7, 2023
PACJA- A Panafrican Climate Justice Alliance in a statement released on December 6 stated that it is disappointed with the progress of COP 28 as it is slow in adoption of decisions that are progressive and relevant to Africa.
PACJA stated that it remains cautiously optimistic to the possibilities of a positive outcome, alive to the fact that this outcome may be a mirage unless leaders from developed countries remain faithful to the spirit of the Paris Agreement, which limits the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C which was latter modified by world leaders to be 1.5°C.
It is stated that Africa demands immediate and substantial action to address the lack of sufficient adaptation measures for the continent, recognizing historical injustices. PACJA calls for the decision of COP28 for the financing of adaptation to be more than double.
It has underscored the central role of agriculture in advancing adaptation imperative for climate-vulnerable people of Africa and has criticized the perpetual workshop mode in discussions underway on agriculture do not give hope to climate-stricken farmers in Africa, and it should not be the message they bring back home.
The Alliance further stated its concern that the pledged finances will not reach the grieving farmer as it was experienced before. “We have seen such excitement before, and they have ended in tears – just pledges! We also want to see more pledges, as the amount being thrown into the basket cannot not even address the needs of an African country.”
It is stated that UNFCCC need to put a tighter measure to monitor commitment to funding, loss and damage, beyond the charitable actions seen at the opening of COP28. “The process of putting in place Protocols and procedures needed to make the loss and damage fund functional must also be fast tracked; 4 years is such a long waiting time for front line communities battling with challenges emanating from catastrophic disasters of climate change.”
The Alliance insisted that funding for loss and damage should be additional and incremental to existing streams of climate funding. Intelligence obtained by PACJA, so far indicates that rich and developed countries are merely repackaging existing climate and/or ODA funding commitment to demonstrate their philanthropy and not their obligations.
This deceit that characterizes the commitments made must be addressed, once and for all to see new and additional measures secured in COP28 to secure transparency at global level in securing pledges
It is stated that the Global Stock Take cannot be a mere ritual. It has its import which has to bear in COP28 through a demonstrated recommitment to deeply cut emissions by developed countries, as a strive to meet climate financing gap which is now in trillions, and prioritization of the adaptation agenda. This remains the Alliance’s central commitment that African civil society is keen to see from COP28.
It is stated that, the special needs and circumstances that underpin the context of Africa as a continent and secured in Paris agreement must remain a guiding principle across all the negotiations streams.
As COP28 enters its homestretch, PACJA remain steadfast in advocating for a just and equitable global response to the climate crisis. It urges all Parties to prioritize vulnerable populations, demonstrate genuine commitment to climate justice, just transition, and collaborate for a sustainable future.
Source: PACJA
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