African leaders are meeting for the first time at the African Climate Change Submit in Nairobi, Kenya to foster a stronger commitment to deal with the climate crisis in the continent.
The events, which was declared opened Monday by Kenya’s President, William Ruto, brought together many African leaders and delegations to examine the current disaster facing the continent and the opportunities for economic collaboration.
But many critics say the event will not produce any meaningful result as promises made in previous conferences failed, adding that it was time for more action and less talk.
The rich nations, whom Africa accuses of being the main polluters speeding climate change, have not complied with the $100 billion per year pledge made in Copenhagen 13 years ago.
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The African Climate Policy Centre estimates that the loss and damage costs associated with climate change in Africa will vary from US$ 290 billion to US$ 440 billion, depending on the rate of warming.
A new report by the World Meteorological Organization projected annual food imports by African countries are expected to increase by about a factor of three, from US$ 35 billion to US$ 110 billion by 2025.
The summit’s objective is to have an impact on climate commitments, pledges, and outcomes, including the Nairobi Declaration, which will be a road map for Africa’s transition to green energy.
Africa is the region most at risk from climate-related loss and damage to its lands, crops, infrastructure, and peoples, contributing less than 4% of annual greenhouse gas emissions currently and less than 1% of total historical emissions.
However, many civil societies see the gathering as not truly African as most of the partners in the conference are the same developed countries who caused and continue to cause climate change and pay lip service to Africa which is hit harder by the climate disasters.
They argued that the conference has been hijacked by non-Africans who are the major exhibitors in the conference with less than 30% African exhibitors.
Zaki Mamdoo, Climate activist and Coordinator, Stop EACOP Coalition, said that “the Africa Climate Summit could provide the platform needed for the continent to dramatically shift its trajectory and future- from one that is set to bear the brunt of climate collapse, to one of energy-security and prosperity driven by decentralised and people-centred renewables.”
He said for “this to happen, African leaders will need to rise to the occasion and make firm commitments to significantly upscale renewable energy developments while resisting and withdrawing any and all support for exploitative and destructive projects like the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).
“This is an imperative that will define the fate of all our people and, if done in a manner that is just and equitable, would serve to address our interlocking crises of hunger, joblessness, poverty, and exclusion.
“Going into this summit, we are calling on African leaders to embrace the interests and will of the people, and in doing so, we would expect them to throw their weight behind renewables and push for the redirection of financing to renewable energy.”
The current droughts, desertification, floods, and rising food insecurity in many regions of Africa, indicate that humanity is confronting unprecedented devastation on a large scale.
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