ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (PAMACC News) - Over three hundred participants representing various interest groups on the continent including governmental and non-governmental, academic, media, women, lawyers and youths have underscored the need for African member-states to integrate the Paris Agreement into Africa’s development agenda and other global governance frameworks.
This came out strongly today as the sixth conference on Climate Change Development in Africa (CCDA-VI) ended in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital.
The CCDA-VI which began on the 17th of October 2016 on the premise of facilitating science-policy dialogue and providing a marketplace for innovative solutions that integrate climate change into Africa’s development processes urged Africa to engage with and embrace the Paris Agreement within the framework of it’s development aspirations as underscored in Agenda 2063, which embodies the vision of the “Africa we want”, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which sets global targets with a vision of “leaving no one behind”.
Participants were also of the view that most of the intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs) submitted by African states require urgent revision ahead of the coming into force of the Agreement as many of them were vague and inconsistent with national development priorities.
According to Abdallah Hamdok, Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), “analyses by various institutions, including the African Climate Policy Center, have demonstrated that there are still a number of challenges with the INDC submissions of many developing countries.”
These according to him, include vagueness in their mitigation ambitions and adaptation aspirations; lack of cost estimates for achieving their adaptation and mitigation goals, and absence of clarity on sources of funding (conditional, unconditional, private sector, and/or public) for both mitigation and adaptation.
In a similar vein, the Vice President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Kapil Kapoor enjoined African states to ensure that the nuances in the Paris Agreement are clarified and contextualized in the run-up to COP22, especially in the case of Africa, whose greenhouse gas emissions remain the lowest but which is already bearing the greatest burden from the adverse impacts of climate as evinced by the effects of the unusually strong El Niño of 2015 in East and Southern Africa.
Civil society groups under the auspices of the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) cautioned along the same line, urging Africa to utilise the window of opportunity the ratification period provides to revise their INDCs and while identifying strategies for implementing the Agreement especially through pan-African initiatives and institutions, public-private partnerships, and the engagement of State and non-State actors.
“Tackling climate change is therefore paramount if Africa’s development objective as defined in Agenda 2063 is to be achieved,”Mithika Mwenda said.
To James Murombedzi, Officer in Charge of the Africa Climate Policy Centre, “the Paris Agreement is somewhat weak in terms of how African countries will attract the required investments to deal with the challenges of climate change.”
While it was hailed as a landmark global deal on climate change, there remains a feeling of impotence from the Africa group on certain nuances of the Agreement and its implications to the continent’s development agenda.
However, signing and ratifying the Agreement is not optional for Parties as it was universally agreed by the then 196 members to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change—UNFCCC, in Paris last year.
This therefore implies that Africa’s fears about the Agreement and its implications, would have to be dealt with at the negotiating table, and this is the point at which the Young African Lawyers (YAL) Programme becomes crucial.
Established under the ClimDev-Africa Programme, YAL has the overarching goal of strengthening Africa’s negotiating position and ensuring Africa gets the best at the UNFCCC processes.
“Signing and ratifying the Agreement is not optional for us as Africa,” says Natasha Banda, a young Legal Practitioner from Zambia, one of the mentees under the programme.
Being part of the legal advisory team for the Zambian negotiators through the UNFCCC country Focal point person, Banda believes ratifying the Agreement is not negotiable and the starting point “because the nature of international Agreements is that you cannot have bargaining power from outside,” and is certain that Zambia, which is yet to ratify, would do so once all necessary processes are complete.
Noting that climate-induced impacts like frequent and prolonged droughts and floods, as well as environmental degradation, have created uncertainties that make livelihoods unattainable for rural and urban communities, key speakers at the conference also identified migration as a trigger and amplifying factor.
The conference further recommended that the causal linkages between climate change and migration be better understood in order to take appropriate climate response measures to stabilize communities and improve livelihoods.
Examining the implications of the Paris Agreement for Africa’s future economic growth and sustainable development agenda; the conference called on African countries to identify viable and transformative investment opportunities, reform institutions to make them more efficient, and build capacity to access and absorb climate finance — in readiness to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the Paris agreement, to leapfrog technologies and transition to low-Carbon, Climate-resilient development.
In addressing and responding to the impacts of climate change on socioeconomic development and environmental degradation in Africa, a number of key regional initiatives have been developed and adopted across multiple countries through partnerships and joint implementation.
Pan-African initiatives such as the Africa Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI), the Africa Adaptation Initiative (AAI), the ClimDev-Africa programme and the Africa Great Green Wall) were identified as key pillars supporting the implementation of the Paris Agreement. Similarly, the Agreement provides a unique opportunity to synergize these initiatives for maximum impact and efficient management and use of resources.
As the sixth session of the Climate Change and Development for Africa (CCDA-VI) came to a close, Justus Kabyemera, Coordinator – ClimDev Africa Special Fund at the African Development Bank called on Africa to resolve the issue of gender and inclusivity for climate change and development sooner than later.
“Of course there are issues that remain to be sorted out, but as most of you highlighted in the course of the discussions, we need to be more strategic and assertive in our decisions. Issues of gender and inclusivity for climate change and development are some of the gaps that we need to resolve sooner than later,” he said. He pointed out that throughout the discussions, it came clear that there was need of a coordinated and programmatic approach to climate change initiatives across the continent.
“Working in silos or doing business as usual is no longer tenable especially as we grapple with the meager resources at our disposal,” he told the conference.
“We need to leverage and compliment the resources and build on the capacities of all players in the climate change arena. There is need to scale up the various initiatives, including climate services, loss and damage mechanism/models, early warning systems; but also domesticated approaches as the countries brace to implement their NDC within the framework of the Paris Agreement,” said Kabyemera.
The place of the youth and the future of developmental frameworks in Africa was also put on the front-burner at the conference as Youth leaders linked the success of any development agenda on the continent to the extent of its anchorage on young people.
“In terms of leadership transition, we are still lugging behind because our leaders don’t trust young people, they see them as a threat, they see young people as naïve…but we will rise and fight for climate justice and ensure that 2063 is a reality,” said Ibrahim Cessay of the Africa Youth Initiative on Climate Change (AYICC), a network of African youth organizations and individuals working on climate change & sustainable development.
And Abel Musumali of the ClimDev Youth Platform agrees with Cessay on the need to engage young people saying “climate change is about both short and long term planning, under for Agenda 2063 to be achieved, we should be involved now in solving the climate change problem which has a bearing on our future, otherwise, we are doomed.”
Agenda 2063 heralds Africa’s dream for development in the next 50 years. And Dr. Seth Osafo, former legal advisor at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) secretariat, would like to see investments in scientific research especially for young scientists.
“We need to develop young people’s expertise at the highest level to contribute positively in their country processes. There are already some experts in all the other areas but we need a lot of research scientists, and I look forward to having a programme soon that could be mentoring young scientists for Africa to be much involved in the climate scientific governance framework considering that climate change threatens to hinder Africa’s aspirations as enshrined in the Agenda 2063,” concludes Osafo.
The conference also witnessed the Inaugural Prof. Godwin Olu Patrick Obasi Memorial Lecture wherein the life and times of the icon of meteorology were extolled. Prof. Laban Ogallo of the IGAD-UNDP Disaster Risk Reduction Project in Kenya recalled that Prof. Obasi was active in promoting global solutions to environmental issues, with special attention to the atmosphere, fresh water and the oceans.
“He was at the forefront in drawing the world’s attention to the issue of climate change, notably in convening the second World Climate Conference, held in Geneva in 1990,” Prof Ogallo said.
Obasi played an important role in the negotiations leading to the establishment of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the World Climate Research Programme, the Global Climate Observing System and the Vienna Convention on the Protection of the Ozone Layer and its Montreal Protocol.
The Prof Obasi inaugural memorial lecture later set the stage for conference participants to explore the importance of climate information services in Africa’s development agenda, showcasing best practices for the development of climate services on the continent . This was considered alongside the human well-being and economic prosperity, as well as the ultimate goal of increasing policy uptake of the services.
ADDIS Ababa, Ethiopia (PAMACC News) - As the sixth session of the Climate Change and Development for Africa (CCDA_CI) came to a close, Justus Kabyemera, Coordinator – ClimDev Africa Special Fund at the African Development Bank called on Africa to resolve the issue of gender and inclusivity for climate change and development sooner than later.
“Of course there are issues that remain to be sorted out, but as most of you highlighted in the course of the discussions, we need to be more strategic and assertive in our decisions. Issues of gender and inclusivity for climate change and development are some of the gaps that we need to resolve sooner than later,” he said.
He pointed out that throughout the discussions, it came clear that there was need of a coordinated and programmatic approach to climate change initiatives across the continent.
“Working in silos or doing business as usual is no longer tenable especially as we grapple with the meager resources at our disposal,” he told the conference, which was attended by different government representatives, members of parliament, civil society among other.
“We need to leverage and compliment the resources and build on the capacities of all players in the climate change arena. There is need to scale up the various initiatives, including climate services, loss and damage mechanism/models, early warning systems; but also domesticated approaches as the countries brace to implement their NDC within the framework of the Paris Agreement,” said Kabyemera.
He promised that the Bank, within the framework of ClimDev Africa and more so the Climate Change Action Plan for the period 2016 -2020 and the Feed Africa Strategy will enhance its financial and technical support to the cause of climate change across the continent.
“The Bank will continue to support the African Group of Negotiators to strengthen the African voice at international climate forums for affirmative action. We pledge to assist and facilitate countries in the implementation of their NDCs,” he said.
The bank seeks to collaborate with other partners in the implementation of both the Adaptation for African Agriculture – Triple A and Africa Adaptation Initiative (AAI), which we hope will be closely linked for the creation of synergies between them.
Kabyemera pointed out that the CCDA-VI had set pace not only for COP-22, but also for CCDA-VII, which is expected to be a trend setter for the implementation of the Paris Agreement on the Continent.
“It is our hope that all African countries will have ratified their NDCs with well guided and articulate policy frameworks at the country level to guide the implementation process. This is one aspect that we all need to collaborate to accomplish. We look forward to collaborating with you all in the implementation of the Paris Agreement in a well-coordinated and programmatic manner,” he said.
ADDIS Ababa, Ethiopia (PAMACC News) - As the sixth session of the Climate Change and Development for Africa (CCDA_CI) came to a close, Justus Kabyemera, Coordinator – ClimDev Africa Special Fund at the African Development Bank called on Africa to resolve the issue of gender and inclusivity for climate change and development sooner than later.
“Of course there are issues that remain to be sorted out, but as most of you highlighted in the course of the discussions, we need to be more strategic and assertive in our decisions. Issues of gender and inclusivity for climate change and development are some of the gaps that we need to resolve sooner than later,” he said.
He pointed out that throughout the discussions, it came clear that there was need of a coordinated and programmatic approach to climate change initiatives across the continent.
“Working in silos or doing business as usual is no longer tenable especially as we grapple with the meager resources at our disposal,” he told the conference, which was attended by different government representatives, members of parliament, civil society among other.
“We need to leverage and compliment the resources and build on the capacities of all players in the climate change arena. There is need to scale up the various initiatives, including climate services, loss and damage mechanism/models, early warning systems; but also domesticated approaches as the countries brace to implement their NDC within the framework of the Paris Agreement,” said Kabyemera.
He promised that the Bank, within the framework of ClimDev Africa and more so the Climate Change Action Plan for the period 2016 -2020 and the Feed Africa Strategy will enhance its financial and technical support to the cause of climate change across the continent.
“The Bank will continue to support the African Group of Negotiators to strengthen the African voice at international climate forums for affirmative action. We pledge to assist and facilitate countries in the implementation of their NDCs,” he said.
The bank seeks to collaborate with other partners in the implementation of both the Adaptation for African Agriculture – Triple A and Africa Adaptation Initiative (AAI), which we hope will be closely linked for the creation of synergies between them.
Kabyemera pointed out that the CCDA-VI had set pace not only for COP-22, but also for CCDA-VII, which is expected to be a trend setter for the implementation of the Paris Agreement on the Continent.
“It is our hope that all African countries will have ratified their NDCs with well guided and articulate policy frameworks at the country level to guide the implementation process. This is one aspect that we all need to collaborate to accomplish. We look forward to collaborating with you all in the implementation of the Paris Agreement in a well-coordinated and programmatic manner,” he said.
Winners of the third edition of the African Climate Change and Environmental Reporting (ACCER) awards have been announced in Aadis Ababa, Ethiopia in a colourful ceremony graced by representatives of the Africa Development Bank, various UN agencies, civil society representatives and representatives from different media organisations all over Africa.
In his opening remarks, James Murombedzi, the Officer in Charge at the UN Economic Centre for Africa (UNECA) said that the awards were a great initiative aimed at improving the African Narrative on Climate Change which is key in ensuring that climate change is given the human face with regard to vulnerabilities faced by the African people.
He noted that in developing countries, most journalists are generalists, and have little training in science or the environment – particularly complex areas such as climate change. While many journalists and Editors may be interested in covering climate change issues, competition for space with other topical issues such as politics combined with unwillingness of the commercial-oriented media owners makes up a huge obstacle.
“To overcome the climate information gap existing among stakeholders, deliberate effort should be made to simplify, demystify and effectively communicate climate change in a jargon that is widely embraced by all. It should not, however, end here,” said Murombedzi.
“Even if the climate change debate is simplified, a large proportion of rural populations in developing countries, especially those in Africa, are not able to read or write, even in their local languages. This calls for a strategy that makes vehicles for community outreach, which is the media, proactive participants in this regard,” he added.
Dr. Justus Kabyemera from the Africa Development Bank (AfDB) noted that there is need to strengthen and unify the foundation of Africa’s common agenda for action as well as reshaping and refining the African Narrative on climate change discourse through robust application of home-grown solutions, initiatives and talents for sustainability.
“It is therefore important to devise strategies to bring journalists and media practitioners to the forefront, not as reporters, but as key partners and players in the ensuing engagements,”said Dr Kabyemera. “We appreciate Pan African Climate Justice Alliance for initiating a very innovative award scheme, ACCER Awards, which will indeed improve the African Narrative on Climate Change,” he added.
Mithika Mwenda, PACJA’s Secretary General said that the organisation will continue to play a catalytic role in nurturing innovative ideas necessary for the transformative society as we desire to effectively confront the main challenges of 21st century.
“These complex challenges, such as climate change, will require collaboration from various stakeholders to defeat. And that is the spirit the ACCER Awards exemplifies,” he said.
In the Print Media English category, Andrew Mambondiyani (Zimbabwe) was announced the winner with Mugerwa (Uganda) as the first runners up and Atayi Babs Opaluwah (Nigeria).In the Print Media French category, AddehMidadji Daniel (Togo) was announced the winner and Madafime Didier Hubert (Benin) as the 1st runners up.
In the Electronic Media English, TV English category,Mercy Adundo (Kenya) was announced the winner and Aaron YanchoKaah (Cameroon) as the first runners up. In the Electronic Media, Radio English category, Diana Wanyonyi was announced the winner and Ngala Killian Chimtom (Cameroon) as the first runners up.
In the Electronic Media French, TV French, ZainaKereKere (Democratic Republic of Congo) was announced the winner. In the Electronic Media, Radio French category,SuyKahofi (Ivory Coast)was announced the winner and Fousseni SAIBOU (Togo) as the second runners up.
The Judges noted that, few entries were received in the Photojournalism and therefore stressed the need for journalists to improve their reporting in this category. Nicodemus Kioko Kivandi (Kenya) was announced the only winner under this category.
Andrew Mambondiyani (Zimbabwe) was celebrated as the Overall winner with a story dubbed; summer, a season of suffering in Mozambique’s Beira. As part of the award package, he wasawarded USD 1000 and will be supported to participate in the upcoming 22nd Conference of Parties of the United Nations Convention on Climate Change scheduled to take place on 7th – 18th November, 2016 in Marrakesh, Morocco.
The award ceremony took place alongside the sixth session of the Climate Change and Development for Africa (CCDA) conference in Addis Ababa Ethiopia.
