global warming
Africa climate summit: Guterres holds G20 countries accountable
“Quantum leaps” are needed to slow down global warming, Guterres said in the Kenyan capital Nairobi. photo
© Brian Inganga/AP/dpa
Africa is the focus of a climate summit for the first time. UN Secretary-General Guterres starts by calling for “the biggest polluters to take the lead” – meaning the G20 countries.
Nairobi (AP) – UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has on the first Africa climate summit called for more climate justice. “Quantum leaps” are needed to slow down global warming, Guterres said in the Kenyan capital Nairobi. This is only possible if “the biggest polluters take the lead,” he emphasized, referring to the G20 countries, which are responsible for 80 percent of CO2 emissions.
Developed countries must create a “clear and credible roadmap” for phasing out coal and double their funding for climate adaptation, Guterres said. Developed countries should reduce their net carbon emissions to zero by 2040, while emerging countries should achieve this by 2050.
Africa bears little responsibility but suffers greatly
For the first time, a climate summit is taking place that is primarily about Africa. The continent is suffering greatly from the consequences of the climate crisis, but contributes comparatively little to the climate-damaging greenhouse gas emissions. African heads of state and representatives of the United Nations, governments from other regions of the world, non-governmental organizations and the private sector will take part in the three-day summit meeting until Wednesday.
Guterres called for a “course correction” in the global financial system to speed up financing for climate action while supporting sustainable development. “That means an international financial system capable of providing an effective debt relief mechanism that supports payment moratorium, longer credit periods and lower interest rates,” Guterres said. Developing countries need the ability to access private finance on a large scale and at affordable terms.
Germany can learn a lot from Kenya
According to Jennifer Morgan, the commissioner for international climate policy at the Federal Foreign Office, Kenya is a role model for the Federal Republic in several respects. “Germany can learn a lot from Kenya,” Morgan said on Deutschlandfunk. Among other things, she mentioned the appeal of Kenya’s President William Rute in climate policy, the African country’s approach to bringing different countries together to find common solutions and the country’s efforts to expand renewable energies.
Morgan attends the first Africa climate summit. At the start, Ruto described the continent as “the key to accelerating the decarbonization of the global economy”. The energy transition is not only necessary for climate protection, but also an opportunity to create “billion-dollar economic opportunities,” said Ruto. Global investors are looking for green investment opportunities – Africa has the potential to attract this money.
World Climate Conference: EU wants to side with Africa
The European Union wants to side with Africa at the world climate conference. She wants to convey Europe’s offer to the African states to be an ally at COP28 “and to work with you on all issues on the agenda there,” said EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday at the first Africa climate summit in Nairobi. “It is important to ensure that Africa’s voice is heard and that Africa’s major concerns – as a continent particularly hard hit by climate change – are given due consideration.”
The partnership between Africa and Europe brings benefits to both continents and the world. Above all, the discussion about climate financing is important, public funds are not enough for the ecological change, said the Commission President. It must therefore be a question of how private investments can be mobilized for Africa. In addition, it is important to talk about carbon pricing and setting global goals for the energy transition.
The summit, hosted by Kenya’s President William Ruto and the African Union, will be attended by African heads of state and representatives of the United Nations, governments from other regions of the world, non-governmental organizations and the private sector until Wednesday.
Africa needs “massive investments” for climate protection, said von der Leyen. “And Europe wants to be the partner that closes this investment gap.” Through its Global Gateway initiative, the EU wants to mobilize around 150 billion euros for investments in Africa between 2021 and 2027. The world climate conference COP28 takes place from November 30th to December 12th in Dubai.