Unacceptable: Africa climate negotiators reject Sh32trn per year deal
Ali Mohammed, the special envoy on Climate Change at the Office of the President of the Republic of Kenya, and the Africa Group of Negotiators chairperson, addresses journalists in Baku, Azerbaijan.
What you need to know:
- The AGN chairman observed that the proposed target to mobilise $250 billion per year by 2035 is inadequate to deliver on the Paris Agreement
- He says the Adaptation Gap Report alone needs are Sh51 trillion ($400 billion)
The Africa Group of Negotiators (AGN) has rejected a new proposal in the revised draft text by COP29 presidency offering a target of $250 billion by 2035 by developed countries and a wider goal of 1.3 trillion.
Ali Mohamed, Kenya’s special envoy for climate change and AGN chaiperson says the deal is “totally unacceptable and inadequate ”.
“In this context, it decides to set a goal in extension of the goal referred to in paragraph 53 of decision 1/CP.21 with developed country Parties taking the lead to USD 250 billion (Sh32 trillion) per year by 2035 for developing country Parties for climate action,” the draft revised text highlights.
While dissecting the new Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) text, the AGN chairman observed that the proposed target to mobilise $250 billion per year by 2035 is inadequate to deliver on the Paris Agreement.
He also explains that the Adaptation Gap Report alone says the adaptation needs are Sh51 trillion ($400 billion) and that the $250 billion offered will lead to an unacceptable loss of life in Africa and around the world, and imperil the future of the world.
“Moreover, it is no longer developed countries who are responsible under this formulation. It is rendered as a target for which all countries are responsible and where developed countries are taking the lead. This is unacceptable,” said Mr Mohamed.
He reiterates the importance of prioritising adaptation and calls for an explicit decision for the technical and expert teams to finalise the work on the indicators six weeks prior to SB62.
“We believe that the finalisation of indicators is a party- driven process, and as such parties must be given enough time to consider the work and further the development of indicators.
“Furthermore, we are not happy with the inclusion of transformation adaptation in the text as parties did not have adequate time to engage on the concept,” he says.
Mr Mohamed said the African Group of Negotiators was “extremely disappointed” that the outcome does not provide clear guidance on the inclusion of the indicators to track the means of implementation for the adaptation and now calls for clear guidance for the inclusion of the means of Implementation in the final text.
According to Mr Mohamed, the Just Transition text is unacceptable and lacks balance between domestic and international dimensions of just transitions.
“Just transition is about fairness, international cooperation, shared prosperity and access to economic opportunities, as well as addressing challenges for the transitions. The Baku decision should effectively respond to the Dubai mandate and scope of just transitions,” the AGN chair pointed out on Friday.
Climate experts agreed with the AGN chair and describe the revised proposal as ‘a very bad deal that is woefully divorced from the reality of the devastating impacts of the climate crisis in Africa and across the developing world.
This is why they now want African ministers and the AGN to walk away from the talks and say ‘no deal is better than a bad deal’.
Fred Njehu, Pan-African Political Strategist at Greenpeace Africa, said that the numbers proposed in this text are a slap in the face to African nations and other developing countries bearing the brunt of climate disasters.
“While finally having a concrete figure is a step forward, it's like offering a bucket to catch a flood. The Global North seems disconnected from the devastating reality on the ground - our communities are losing homes, livelihoods, and lives while bureaucrats debate inadequate funding levels.
“We need transformative financial commitments that match the scale of the climate emergency in Africa, not token gestures that perpetuate climate injustice,” said Mr Njehu.
Harjeet Singh, a climate activist and the global engagement director for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, agreed with Mr Njehu.
Paltry sum
"It is a disgrace that despite full awareness of the devastating climate crises afflicting developing nations and the staggering costs of climate action—amounting to trillions—developed nations have only proposed a meagre $250 billion per year.
“To add insult to injury, this paltry sum includes loans and lacks the crucial commitment to grant-based finance, which is essential for developing nations to both address climate impacts and transition away from fossil fuels, “said Mr Singh.
"The trust has been shattered; developing countries must stand firm. Rejecting this is a stand for dignity—no deal is better than a bad deal, especially when it disrespects those bearing the brunt of a crisis they did not create."
Susan Otieno, the country manager ActionAid Kenya, said that the lack of a deal continues to disenfranchise women in Africa.
“Poor weather patterns mean increased burden of care for women as men will migrate and leave the women to take care of the sick, elderly and the children. When displacement happens, women are vulnerable as they make the largest population of displaced people in the face of a disaster,” noted Ms Otieno.
The ActionAid Kenya country manager said that 60% of women depend on agriculture, meaning that with poor production and increased food security, women will go hungry as they deny themselves food to ensure others eat.
“When all these effects of climate change are embedded in our minds, every negotiator ought to push for a good deal on climate financing. Ensure that the figures are on the table, ensure that women are reached by including the execution clause in the NCQG, changing the structures for funds to reach women who are marginalized and are affected,”Ms Otieno urged.
The revised draft text came after 20 hours of intense consultations by the COP presidency and closed-door ‘give and take’ negotiations with developed countries who are historic polluters that ended early Friday morning.
Earlier on Friday, another key meeting between Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres and Amb Ali Mohamed, Kenya’s Special Envoy for Climate Change and Chair of the AGN would follow.
Mr Mohamed used the opportunity to emphasize Africa’s call for the provision and mobilisation of $1.3 trillion in climate finance, with at least $600 billion as an immediate provision, far exceeding the existing $100 billion floor.
“The meeting underscored the importance of innovative financing mechanisms, including global solidarity levies and sustainable instruments, to ensure the inclusion of progressive financial solutions in COP29 outcomes.
“The secretary-general expressed his commitment to advocate for these mechanisms and align global efforts with Africa’s vision for climate justice,” Mr Mohamed gave an update after meeting with Mr Gutteres.
“Discussions also centered on the need to reduce the high cost of capital and address the debt burden faced by vulnerable nations.
Mr Gutteres agreed that these challenges must be at the heart of COP29 negotiations to create a fair financial system that enables sustainable development,” the AGN chair noted.
According to Mr Mohamed, he also highlighted Africa’s willingness to contribute to mitigation efforts, but stressed the urgency of doubling the Global Goal on Adaptation for the survival of the continent and the global south.
“On his part, Mr Guterres acknowledged this critical priority and pledged to advocate for its realisation. With growing support from global leaders like Mr Gutteres, Africa’s united position at COP29 aims to deliver scalable solutions and ambitious commitments,” the AGN chair added.
Many delegates had been waiting for the numbers for almost a week, hopeful that the $1.3 trillion NCQG on climate finance that has replaced the existing goal of $100 billion per year was in sight.
They were wrong.
