By Jean Pierre Afadhali
Ahead of inaugural Africa Climate Summit, a pan African movement is calling on Kenyan president William Ruto, the continent’s leader for climate change to make swift changes on the summit agenda and prioritizes Africa’s interests it claims have been ignored over pro-western agenda that is being pushed by some governments and companies.
Africans Rising, a pan African movement of people that promotes Unity, peace, justice has urged President Ruto, the Chairperson of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) to reset the first continental climate conference’s agenda to reflect the Africa’s interests. The movement alleges that western governments, companies are driving the meeting organization to cater for their interests.
“Rather than advancing Africa’s interests and position on critical climate issues, the summit has been seized by Western governments, consultancy companies and philanthropic organisations hellbent on pushing a pro-West agenda and interests at the expense of Africa.” Noted the movement in an open letter addressed to Kenya’s head of state.
Africans Rising alleges that the Summit concept note, as proposed by McKinsey and Company “reflects the interests of the US, McKinsey and the western corporations they represent.” It added that Africa’s stated priorities are conspicuously missing, as a result.
The Summit that will take place in Nairobi, Kenya from 4th to 6th September,2023 aims to address the increasing exposure to climate change and its associated costs both globally and particularly to Africa.
According to the Summit organisers, the discussions will centre on ‘climate action financing, Green growth agenda for Africa, climate action and economic development, global capital optimization. At the end of the summit, the heads of states will adopt and sign Nairobi declaration that will subsequently be used in COP 28 in Dubai, United Arabic Emirates to advocate for Africa, the most vulnerable continent to climate change yet it is the least greenhouse gas emitter.
According to Kenya’s ministry of environment 12,000 people have registered to attend the September summit that is expected to amplify African voice in global climate talks. However, the Panafrican movement is urging other Civil society organizations to demand changes on the agenda and push for Africa’s interests by making the summit “African”.
Last year there were concerns over a high representation of fuel fossil lobbyists at Cop 27 Summit in Egypt. The Guardian reported that Oil and gas industries had 636 representatives at Egypt conference – a rise of more than 25% on previous year.
According to Africans Rising the “think tanks committee” set up to drive negotiations at the Summit is chaired by individuals who represent UK and US-based organisations and not African organisations.”
The African movement claims African professionals and leaders are aware of the “capture of this Summit by non-Africans and some are already threatening to not attend.”
Demands for President Ruto and Summit organisers
As an African Head of State who champions the continent’s interests in the climate discourse, you have gained international recognition for fronting transformative ideas and being firm in this cause, stated Africans Rising in the open letter. There is a wealth of African-led ideas and proposals that the Nairobi summit must consider, stated the movement adds.
The movement urges Dr. Ruto to withdraw” the control and influence of Mckinsey in the organisation of the Summit.” In exchange, to establish an African-led expert group to help reshape the Summit’s agenda.
Africans Rising also suggests: “Ensure the meeting advances Africa’s interests and priorities as promoted by African Governments and civil society in the UNFCCC.”
Other demands include the adoption of an integrated approach to Africa’s climate, energy and development issues.
Without such an integrated African-led approach, concepts like “green growth” will simply further “neo-colonialism, read the open letter.
Africans Rising further demands a strong focus on renewable energy to “counter efforts by the fossil fuel industry, Western interests, fossil fuel-producing African countries to hijack Africa’s just energy transition.”
“Avoid all false solutions such as carbon markets and geo-engineering which are designed to encourage wealthy countries and people to continue polluting and turning Africa into a dumping ground and field for technological trials.” Read part of demands outlined in the letter.
The organization is pushing for clean energy transition that considers Africa’s interests and backed by science. “Implement and adopt climate policies that promote a just and equitable phase-out of all new oil, gas and coal projects on the African continent in line with Africa’s development interests and the recommendations of IPCC, IEA and other scientific organisations by cutting public and private financing.”
Additionally, call for dialogue is among demands to tackle climate change challenges Africa faces. “Seek transparent and meaningful dialogue between citizens and policymakers across the continent to build a shared African narrative and agenda to tackle the interlinked challenges of climate, energy and development.”
The movement demands the promotion of avenues that provide sufficient and consensual climate funding to realise this commitment.
Africa faces severe climate-related challenges, including drought, desertification, and increasing cyclones, leading to displacement, migration, and food crises. The continent is also disproportionately affected by the global temperature rise and is projected to experience escalating physical climate risks.
The inaugural summit is highly expected to be a key platform for Africa to make its voice heard on climate justice.
