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Tag: COP 28

  • Climate change ambassadors call for delocalization of the COP 28

    Climate change ambassadors call for delocalization of the COP 28

    Migori County climate change ambassadors have called upon the relevant environmental champions to delocalize the 2023 Conference of Parties (COP 28) to achieve the desired climate change goals.

    Speaking during the delocalization of the COP 28 discussion at Migori Teachers Training College, John Bosco, a Migori environmental ambassador said that it was important to dissect Cop 28 at both the national and county levels to establish the need-to-need basis of climate change mitigation.

    Bosco explained that the community needs to be educated on issues concerning climate change through sensitisation programmes tailored to incorporate the youths to conserve the environment as well as scaling up innovations for the food system.

    The environmentalist also noted that agroforestry is one of the crucial aspects in addressing climate change mitigation that will enable both the forest cover and crop production to flourish.

    He explained that sub-division of arable land due to population increase has reduced crop production, adding that agroforestry creates more diverse, productive, profitable, and healthy land use systems as well as curbing climate change mitigation measures.

    Join hand- Green Life NGO Official Pamela Omwanda acknowledged that the organisation has been training farmers on agroforestry practices to combine agricultural and forest technologies in addressing climate change matters.

    She encouraged Migori farmers to plant tree seedlings that can well adapt with farm crops through soil conservation to benefit from both enterprises.

    Omwanda however, affirmed that the majority of farmers do not understand what climate change is all about, adding that it’s only through proper sensitisation that the public can fully appreciate climate change mitigation measures.

    However, Fred Odhiambo from The Devolution and Climate Change Adaptation programme (DaCCA) emphasised the need to help the youth with organic green systems; a modern climate-smart agriculture that can generate income as well as address climate change issues.

    Odhiambo underscored the usage of wetlands through organic green systems that aim to conserve the wetlands areas; an approach towards migration of climate change and global warming.

    “Planting of Arrow roots, for example, do well in wetland areas as well as stabilizing the water table making it an excellent environmental protector,” noted Odhiambo.

    He added that the destruction of microclimate creation and the cooling effects of the wetland areas have been destroyed by the planting of eucalyptus trees that have led to the disappearing of the tropical rainforests.

    The official also noted that the destruction of the wetland areas has resulted in Human-Wildlife conflicts, especially with animals like banded water snakes, alligators, beetles, and bullfrogs that are now scrambling for space with humans.

  • King Mohammed VI calls for Pact for Action on Climate Change at the COP28

    King Mohammed VI calls for Pact for Action on Climate Change at the COP28

    In order to address the climate crisis, King Mohammed VI of Morocco has called for a Pact for Action, emphasising that because of it, “humanity can show—through deeds—that the most ambitious goals are not necessarily the least attainable ones.”

    “Climate talks are not—and must not become—an aim in themselves, no matter how important they may be. There are two distinct times: when to take action and when to negotiate.

    In his address at the World Climate Action Summit, which was conducted in conjunction with the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), which was held in Dubai, the sovereign declared, “And the time for action is now!”

    In light of the unstoppable acceleration of climate change, the King proposed that “we adopt a Pact for Action, here and now.” He emphasised that the Conferences of the Parties need to abandon the “small steps” approach that has too long guided COPs and begin changing course immediately.

    In this regard, the King emphasised the difference between “small steps” and the impending climatic concerns that require prompt attention.

    “Just as we need to believe in climate action, we also have to be convinced that between those who resign themselves to “small steps” and those who believe wholeheartedly in “bigbreaks—driven by ideology and dogma—there is a course of action between the two that is rooted in pragmatism, of course, but also characterised by voluntarism, ambition, and vision,” the King said.

    “That is the plan we must embrace if our goal is still to live up to the commitments made at COP 21 in Paris in 2015 and COP 22 in Marrakesh in 2016,” the King  insisted.

    While admitting that the conclusions of the First Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement attest to a universal momentum around the climate issue, the King noted that “nevertheless, adaptation efforts remain fragmented, incremental, and unevenly distributed across regions, particularly those most vulnerable to the devastating effects of climate change.”

    “Half-measures cannot be bold measures. Similarly, a partial vision only exacerbates risks, adds to the damage, and increases material, natural, and human losses,” the Sovereign added, pointing out that “global management of the climate crisis can only proceed from an approach that is better suited to national constraints, that focuses on sustainable qualitative growth, and that is, above all, rooted in a humanist vision.”

    “In Morocco, the boom in renewable, sustainable energy, the development of competitive green hydrogen sectors, our growing connectivity with global markets, and the 2023 football World Cup, to be hosted by two continents, attest to the vision we have of regional integration,”the King added.

    Noting that it is this action-oriented approach that Morocco has advocated, the Sovereign said that the kingdom’s ambition “manifests itself in concrete, precise sectoral actions. It is expressed through detailed, verifiable action plans for adaptation, mitigation, and decarbonisation.”

    “Ambitious as they may be, our stated objectives are never just a whim or an international publicity stunt. On the contrary, they are the result of programmes and projects carried out at the national level, first and foremost for us and by us. I personally attach the greatest importance to their implementation and follow-up,” HM the King underlined.

    “In a global system that remains unequal, Africa received USD 30 billion in annual climate financing flows in 2020, representing less than 12% of its needs,” the Sovereign recalled. Despite being penalised and disadvantaged, Africa possesses all the resources required to address the world’s climate crisis and emerge as the answer to the main concerns of the twenty-first century.

    Regarding this, the King mentioned that the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings, which took place in Marrakesh, came to the conclusion that reforming development financing and multilateralism—two tools humanity devised to address the difficulties of the 20th century—was urgently needed.

    As President of the United Nations Environment Assembly, the Sovereign stated, “My country is motivated by this conviction.”

    True to its commitment to Africa, the King added, Morocco is “tirelessly pressing ahead with its efforts to implement the decisions of the First Africa Action Summit, held on the sidelines of COP 22, especially the operationalization of the three African Climate Commissions for the Congo Basin, the Sahel, and African Island States.”

    The King also drew attention to the situation of middle-income countries, which are leading the battle for socio-economic development as well as for sustainable development. “For these countries, including my own, the Kingdom of Morocco, I call for specific, more sustained attention on the part of the international community,” the Sovereign noted.

    In this spirit, the King reiterated the hope that the “state parties will be more ambitious and that, together, we will find collective solutions to this common challenge,” reaffirming Morocco’s commitment to pursuing its proactive action in order to “remain at the forefront of not just advocacy but also solutions aimed at safeguarding the future of humanity on our planet.”

  • Its time Africa is turned into a green powerhouse, says Ruto at COP 28

    Its time Africa is turned into a green powerhouse, says Ruto at COP 28

    President William Ruto Friday delivered a keynote address at the COP 28 World Climate Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

    Ruto challenged nations (the world) to install clear and actionable roadmaps that will turn Africa into a green powerhouse.

    “This is not just essential but also an important ingredient for industrial decarbonisation. A unified global effort will ensure that we mobilise capital for both our development and necessary climate action” he said.

    He noted that no country should be forced to make a choice between its development and climate action saying it is possible to pursue the two together.

    He explained that economic growth and environmental sustainability cannot be mutually exclusive.

    This, he observed, is a call for an integrated global effort that will broaden capital for both development and climate action.

    “Ignoring Africa’s developmental needs and the failure to invest in our youth is no longer a tenable argument,” he said.

    President Ruto was speaking on Friday at the opening plenary of the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai.

    He told the meeting that has attracted representatives from more than 200 countries that it is time Africa is turned into a green powerhouse.

    “This is not just essential for the continent but also vital for global industrial decarbonisation.”

    The President argued that the world cannot afford to overlook Africa’s huge potential or ignore its pressing needs.

    At a time when the world is facing climate crisis, he regretted that the globe is still split between the North and South.

    This division, the Head of State maintained, has hindered the globe’s ability to leverage its strengths.

    “It has robbed us of opportunities; we must find in collective action a force that propels our success.”

    By undertaking to turning promises to progress, the President said the world was firmly on its way back onto a 1.5-degree Celsius ceiling.

    “We are also here to support to those who have contributed least to climate change yet bear its most catastrophic impacts.”

    In the event were COP28 President Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres, among other world leaders.

    President Ruto pointed out that the climate crisis must never be seen as remote threat.

    “It is here, indiscriminately devastating nations regardless of their size or wealth.”

    He cited the current floods that followed the most severe drought Eastern Africa has seenin four decades.

    He apportioned these weather extremes to human activities.

    The President insisted that there will be no excuse if COP28 fails to deliver a concrete and sustainable action to the crisis.

    “We have the power, the means, and,most of all, the responsibility to act.”

    Later, the President held a panel discussion on Transforming Climate Finance.

    He argued that the current climate financing ecosystem should be restructured and be made more responsive and innovative.

    “This effectively addresses the challenges posed by high debt service pressure — especially in developing countries.”

    In the panel was the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva, President of France Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Rishi Sunak, President of Ghana Nana Akufo-Addo and Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • President Ruto to champion Africa’s Climate Agenda at COP 28

    President Ruto to champion Africa’s Climate Agenda at COP 28

    President William Ruto leaves for Dubai Thursday, to attend the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28).

    The President will be advocating for Kenya and Africa’s climate agenda during the conference that opened in the United Arab Emirates with a resounding call to accelerate collective climate action.

    “Participating from November 30 to December 2, 2023, at COP 28 alongside 100 global leaders, President Ruto will emphasize transformative climate action urgently needed to correct the world’s current trajectory,” State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said in a statement.

    “As the Chair of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), the Head of State will deliver a statement on behalf of Africa, highlighting the continent’s priorities and building on the historic African Leaders Nairobi Declaration adopted at the inaugural Africa Climate Summit held in Nairobi in September 2023” he said.

    President Ruto has consistently emphasised the need for tangible climate action to confront the global existential crisis.

    At C0P27 in November 2022, in Egypt, he shifted the African climate narrative from victimhood to opportunity, delivering an inspirational statement.

    President Ruto aims to establish Kenya and Africa as key hubs for green manufacturing, supporting the global decarbonization agenda.

    “Kenya and Africa possess vast natural resources, a growing workforce, and untapped renewable energy potential, positioning them to contribute significantly to global climate action while pursuing sustainable development” the statement states.

    “To achieve this vision, he advocates for comprehensive financial reforms, emphasizing the need to align international financial institutions, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), with Africa’s developmental context and climate goals”, it explains.

    Building on the Nairobi Declaration’s call for effective partnerships, President Ruto will also spearhead key events at COP28; namely the launch of the Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative (AGII) – a collaboration between the COP28 Presidency (UAE), the Government of Kenya and other African States, with the ambitious goal of assisting African countries in developing significant green industries to drive economic growth, job creation, and trade.

    “AGII will implement the Nairobi Declaration, where African leaders committed to a green and inclusive growth path, harnessing the continent’s potential. The objective is to hyper-scale green businesses and industries in Africa, promoting climate change mitigation and adaptation, while fostering substantial economic growth and job creation on the continent” Mohamed says.

    The event will also feature the USD 4.5 billion Africa Green Investment initiative led by the UAE, designed to catalyze a transformative cycle of change through investments in green opportunities on the continent.

    President Ruto will also present Africa’s perspective on international financial architecture reform.

    “A New Framework on Climate Finance – drawing on G20 outcomes, the Bridgetown Initiative, the Paris Summit for a New Financial Pact, and the Nairobi Declaration, COP28 is expected to establish a new climate finance framework. President Ruto will present Africa’s perspective on international financial architecture reform” the statement adds.

    Leveraging COP 28, President Ruto is expected to enhance collaboration, share best practices, and advance Africa and Kenya’s priorities on the global climate agenda through signing of MOUs and investment deals for significant investments in Kenya’s green manufacturing, showcasing our potential as a green powerhouse in Africa.