All African countries vulnerable to climate change

WORLD leaders are gearing up for the COP26 UN climate change summit which will be held in the Scottish industrial city of Glasgow in the UK.

The summit is scheduled to run from October 31 until November 12 and will bring together world leaders from governments, business and civil society.

It hopes to set out new and ambitious targets under the three pillars of the Paris Agreement, namely mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, adaptation to the impact of global warming and financial commitment to support those most vulnerable to climate change.

During Cop21 in Paris, 196 countries signed treaties – the Paris Agreement – pledging to work towards keeping global warming under the 1.5°C threshold set by climate scientists worldwide. The COP26 summit aims to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement.

In July, Al Jazeera reported that thousands of scientists have repeated calls for urgent action to tackle the climate emergency, warning that several tipping points are now imminent.

Human activity is the main cause of climate change, which results from burning fossil fuels and converting land from forests to agriculture. Africa is the lowest contributor in carbon emissions, and yet suffers the most.

Under the Kyoto Protocol, a UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that industrialises countries and economies in transition to limit and reduce greenhouse gases, Africa was recognised for its vulnerability to climate change.

However, under the Paris Agreement, Africa lost that recognition. There are nations which are categorised under the Least Developed Countries (LDC). In Africa, out of 54 countries, only 33 are recognised as LDCS.

The countries which are recognised as LDCS are the most vulnerable to extreme weather events and adverse effects of climate change and also have the least capacity to cope with and adapt to the adverse effects of climate change.

The African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change (AGN) has been pushing to have Africa as a continent to be recognised for its special needs and circumstances.

According to Environment, Forestry, and Fisheries Minister Barbara Creecy, across Africa, research is indicating that countries are already spending between two and nine percent, on average, of their GDP on adaptation measures.

Kamal Djemouai, an independent climate change consultant and adviser to the AGN said it’s not fair to recognise only certain countries in Africa and leave out some on the basis that they are more developed.

“This climate change is hurting everyone and there’s no need to divide Africa and cause a divergence … Africa has been very strong and united during climate negotiations process and they should fight for an agreement that recognises Africa. Why are we using the Paris Agreement that does not recognise Africa and its special circumstances? We should use an agreement that recognises us,” Djemouai said in a AGN podcast.

Djemouai explained that even though Africa had initially signed and agreed to the provisions of the Paris Agreement, it was not too late to have the decision rectified, saying it was a mistake to sign an agreement that does not recognise the entire continent as an LDC.

“Rectifying it is showing goodwill from all our African countries that we are ready to participate to the betterment of climate change. This is very good at a political level, technical level and negotiations level.”

Djemouai said the recognition was important because it reflected the reality and fact that Africa was the least contributor in the carbon emissions and was not responsible for the levels of global warming.

“All African countries, without even talking about the development or economy, must get the same treatment when it comes to climate change because the consequences have no borders and limits.”

The Department of Environmental Affairs said a South African delegation had held discussions ahead of COP26, to explore opportunities for enhanced co-operation, financing and support for the country’s “Just Transition” to a low-carbon economy and climate resilient society.

The delegation said that South Africa, as a developing country, was committed to contributing its fair share towards a global low-emissions, climate-resilient economy and society by mid-century.

“We recognise the consequences of climate change will be catastrophic for the world, and for South Africa in particular, without global ambitious action to reduce emissions and address adaptation.

“South Africa in partnership with the rest of Africa is on the front line in the global struggle against climate change and is dedicating significant resources to adapt to the reality of an already-changing climate and address consequential loss and damage,” read the statement.

The department ssid South Africa expected an outcome at COP26 that was negotiated in a transparent, inclusive and balanced manner, with priority given to all core issues under the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement. | African News Agency (ANA)