In an unprecedented move, the forthcoming African Climate Summit is set to transform how the continent addresses its climate challenges. With the aim of redirecting attention from Africa as a helpless victim of floods and famine, the summit, commencing in Nairobi next week, seeks to position the region as an active participant in climate finance and sustainable development. This pioneering event has sparked lively debates regarding the role of carbon markets in funding Africa’s environmental priorities.

Though African countries contribute only 3% of global carbon emissions, the increasing impact of climate change-related extreme weather events has disproportionately affected the continent. A report by the Climate Policy Initiative indicates that Africa has secured just 12% of the necessary funding to effectively address the consequences of climate change.

Kenyan Environment Minister Soipan Tuya articulated the necessity for a new narrative, stating, “We want to shift the conversation from viewing Africa solely as a victim of hunger and disasters. The new dialogue should portray Africa as an attractive destination for significant capital to spearhead global climate change efforts.”

With participation expected from thousands of delegates, the summit aims to propose solutions ahead of the U.N. Climate Summit in New York next month and COP28 in the United Arab Emirates later this year. The organizers anticipate facilitating substantial deals during the event.

Among the various funding mechanisms being considered, market-based financing instruments such as carbon credits hold a prominent position. These credits enable polluting entities to counterbalance emissions by investing in environmentally friendly activities like tree-planting and renewable energy projects. Additionally, governments are exploring innovative methods, including debt-for-nature swaps. An exemplary case involves Gabon, which recently repurchased $500 million of its international debt and issued an eco-friendly bond to allocate the savings toward conservation initiatives.

However, the summit’s approach to climate finance has been met with criticism from civic groups. Over 500 organizations have collectively expressed concerns through an open letter, accusing organizers of prioritizing Western interests over Africa’s well-being. These groups assert that such strategies could perpetuate pollution while exploiting Africa’s resources.

Amos Wemanya, representing Power Shift Africa, a signatory of the letter, underscored the importance of wealthier nations honoring their commitments to support financially challenged countries. He emphasized that genuine financing should be rooted in these commitments.

As the host nation, Kenya is positioning itself as an exemplar for Africa’s climate aspirations. By enacting legislation to attract investment, Kenya recently conducted an auction that saw Saudi Arabian companies procure over 2.2 million tonnes of carbon credits. One noteworthy initiative within Kenya is BURN Manufacturing, a company that produces clean cooking stoves. Utilizing proceeds from carbon credits, BURN offers subsidized stoves to underserved communities, significantly reducing pollution and enhancing livelihoods.

A standout feature of the upcoming summit is a significant deal involving the United Arab Emirates and the Africa Carbon Markets Initiative (ACMI). Launched at the COP27 summit, ACMI aims to amplify Africa’s carbon credit production from 16 million in 2020 to an ambitious 300 million by 2030 and a staggering 1.5 billion by 2050.

In response to the discourse surrounding carbon credits, Joseph Ng’ang’a, CEO of the summit’s secretariat, emphasized their role as a tool in combating climate change. He acknowledged, however, that they are merely a single piece of the multifaceted puzzle.

Beyond financial deliberations, African nations are united in seeking increased financial support from wealthier nations and advocating for greater recognition of the Congo Basin as a pivotal carbon sink.

As the African Climate Summit approaches, its potential to reshape the narrative on climate finance and redefine Africa’s global role in the fight against climate change becomes increasingly apparent.

Photo Source: Google

By: Montel Kamau

Serrari Financial Analyst

31st August, 2023