Climate change mitigation: Africa must be at the forefront

Last month a considerable number of countries signed the Paris Agreement on Climate Change at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York. In the agreement, they all pledged to work to limit the temperature rise by averting global warming. The agreement provided the framework for all nations to introduce and strengthen policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and respond to a warmer planet. Experts observed that the Paris Agreement was a critical turning point and a fundamental pivot toward a zero-carbon and climate-resilient world, and important tool in mobilising finance, technological support and capacity building for developing countries, and would help to scale up global efforts to address and minimise loss and damage from climate change. However, the real task lies ahead to take such promising momentum from Paris forward and ensure that the Agreement comes into effect and brings a tangible gain. While signing indicates a commitment to refrain from acts that would defeat the object and purpose of the Agreement, a signature alone does not mean the goals will be automatically achieved. Taking the action needed to bring the agreement into force is an essential next step for countries to build on. There must be necessary domestic processes to ensure that the critically important provisions and requirements of the Paris Agreement are fully put into motion, through domestic procedures to lower their greenhouse carbon emissions. Let us examine general climate change as it affects us. In my previous article on this, I argued that although climate change is a critical issue facing the world, it is deeply felt throughout the African continent, which ironically contributes a small carbon footprint. It is interesting that our continent has to deal with other peoples’ actions of omission and commission. Undeniably, climate change has a significant detrimental effect on Africa with the continent suffering from increased climate-related ‘shocks’ such as droughts, storms, flooding and temperature extremes. In addition to obvious and severe environmental consequences, the rise in the global temperature has also impacted agriculture and food security and human health. Notwithstanding, nearly ninety percent of the continent’s rural population depend on agriculture. The concession for industrialized nations to cut their carbon emissions need to be pushed forward as a success to prevent further damage to Africa which is on the frontline as a recipient of the climate change’s debilitating effects. Again, global initiatives like that of Paris aimed to address issues pertaining to climate change must be demystified to every continent’s context depending on their role on affecting the climate change. The agreements must design serious and practical action plan that fits each of the continents, then down to individual countries. I have no doubt that climate change ranks as one of the most important issues of our time facing global environment policy makers. But, there are serious concerns about equity between nations! While on one hand, carbon emissions are generated in well to do parts of the world, there are negative consequences being felt in our continent whose carbon emissions are, to say the least, modest. According to credible evidence, Africa’s per capita emissions make a negligible contribution to overall global emissions. The evidence is not difficult to see even to a layman. How many manufacturing industries do we have in comparison with the developed West or China or India? However, the potential consequences of climate change for our continent’s people and its ecological systems are extremely severe. The Agreement is non-binding, there is no guarantee that what is on paper will translate into change or at least action. The general consensus from African commentators is that the Agreement is not strong enough to protect the continent from the impact of climate change, unless we take extra steps in coming up with other measures. For example, Rwanda realised the debilitating effects of climate change and set up a groundbreaking environment and climate change fund – the biggest in Africa. Fonerwa, as the fund is commonly known, is the engine of Rwanda’s green growth for the next fifty years, while at the same time it will serve as a touchstone for Africa and the rest of the world. Rwanda is also striving to enhance efforts to transition to a lower carbon economy and society, as well as to adapt in the short, medium and long term to the impacts of increasing temperatures. Some notable actions included the ban on plastic bags, conservation of natural landscape restoration, and the planting of millions of trees every year. Thus, for other African countries to effectively manage climate risks and take advantage of the opportunities that climate variability and change present, they must build a strong climate information and knowledge society that can harness its unique potential and resources for its long-term sustainable development. We must also seek better, if not special, terms in all global climate change adaptation initiatives. oscar.kimanuka@yahoo.co.uk

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Climate change mitigation: Africa must be at the forefront