The
upcoming United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28),
scheduled from November 30 to December 12, 2023, in Dubai, United Arab
Emirates, comes at a very crucial time and must be a COP of climate credibility
where parties take accountability for their inaction in addressing the climate
crisis.
The African CSOs Biodiversity
Alliance, a network of African Indigenous Peoples, local communities, youth,
women, small-scale farmers and NGOs, will have its delegation at the
conference. The alliance calls for urgent action rooted in respect for
traditional knowledge and equity in climate solutions. Through its
participation, it hopes to promote people and biodiversity-positive climate
solutions, explore partnerships and collaboration with like-minded networks and
CSOs to collectively influence climate outcomes that benefit Africa and
participate in lobbying for reforming climate finance to increase funding to
African Governments and IPLCs at the frontline of biodiversity and climate
challenges.
It is important
that parties prioritize actions expediting the implementation of climate
initiatives before 2030. Below
are key messages and priority actions that ACBA will be advocating for at COP 28;
·
ACBA urges all delegates to underscore the
significance of traditional knowledge from Indigenous Peoples, local
communities, youth, women and small-scale farmers in designing effective
climate solutions. Additionally, the Alliance advocates for the diversification
of knowledge sources and the integration of traditional wisdom into climate
policies.
·
There is a need for Urgent, Real and Equitable
Just Transitions. It is crucial to highlight the detrimental impact of false
climate solutions, showcasing how these false solutions harm our society,
biodiversity and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs). This harm,
in turn, exacerbates global warming. Therefore, it is imperative for all
countries to commit to significant reductions in carbon emissions and
prioritize real, equitable and just transitions.
·
ACBA stresses on the need for parties to
honour their climate finance pledges and to deliver this finance at scale. The
quality of finance is as important as the volume. Therefore, funding for climate
must be delivered where it matters most, with a focus on accessibility,
particularly for IPLCs. The alliance calls for a universally agreed definition
of climate finance and cautions against double accounting practices. The
operationalization of the loss and damage fund is urgent.
·
ACBA further calls for just and equitable transitions
as follows:
o
Food sovereignty - every citizen has access to
nutritious, abundant, affordable and culturally appropriate food – adoption of
agroecology
o
Clean, affordable and accessible energy taking
advantage of Africa’s abundant renewable energy sources
o
Sustainable debt – many African countries are
facing a debt crisis and have limited fiscal space to invest in economic and
social development. Without reforming the global financial architecture so that
debt is sustainable, developing countries will struggle to respond to the
impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss
The COP 28
delegates should aim to prioritize the above and address the outlined priority
issues to foster genuine and lasting climate solutions that respect the rights
and wisdom of diverse communities worldwide. The time for action is now and the
responsibility is shared among all nations to secure a sustainable and
equitable future for the planet.