Focus on climate-positive growth, Schlettwein urges
Africa should focus its economic development plans on climate-positive growth.
This includes the expansion of energy transitions and renewable energy generation for industrial activity, climate-smart and restorative agricultural practices and essential protection and enhancement of nature and biodiversity.
Agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein said this on Monday at the Cairo Water Week: Towards Harnessing Successful Transition of the Water Agenda from Conference of the Parties 27 (COP) to COP 28 held in Egypt.
Schlettwein expressed concern that many African countries face disproportionate burdens and risks arising from climate change-related, unpredictable weather events and patterns.
These include prolonged droughts, devastating floods, out-of-season storms, and wildfires, which he said can cause massive humanitarian crises with detrimental impacts on economies, health, education, peace and security, among other risks.
"Furthermore, extreme weather events and changes in water cycle patterns are making it more difficult to access safe drinking water, resulting in about 400 million people in Africa having no access to clean drinking water and 700 million without good sanitation.”
Focus on funding
He said countries should promote the production of green hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives such as green fertiliser and synthetic fuels.
“We call for the operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund as agreed at COP27 and resolve for a measurable Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) with indicators and targets to enable assessment of progress against the negative impacts of climate change.”
He said the implementation of the Africa Water Investment Programme should also be supported, as it aims to close the Africa water investment gap by mobilising US$30 billion by 2030.
Schlettwein added that they should consider strengthening the existing African Union institutions, change the approach from being donor-driven to self-initiated and self-financed, and supporting the operationalisation of the fund.
“Africa is not the cause of climate change, nor has it the commensurate benefit from industrialisation.”
New priorities
He said African countries should shift the financing priority towards the climate change agenda, as war is not a priority, and elevate water in the climate change agenda.
“The water cycle is directly impacted by climate change, and 90% of the impacts of climate change are water-related.”
According to Schlettwein, countries should also develop binding protocols globally and within Africa to ensure implementation of the water crisis and climate change agendas and developmental priorities.
“To be successful in our quest to shape the outcome of COP 28, Africa must insist on aspects that matter most for her people. Africa must be given the required space to contribute and play its important role in fending off this existential crisis.”
The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, more commonly referred to as COP28, will be the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference. It is taking place from 30 November until 12 December.
This includes the expansion of energy transitions and renewable energy generation for industrial activity, climate-smart and restorative agricultural practices and essential protection and enhancement of nature and biodiversity.
Agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein said this on Monday at the Cairo Water Week: Towards Harnessing Successful Transition of the Water Agenda from Conference of the Parties 27 (COP) to COP 28 held in Egypt.
Schlettwein expressed concern that many African countries face disproportionate burdens and risks arising from climate change-related, unpredictable weather events and patterns.
These include prolonged droughts, devastating floods, out-of-season storms, and wildfires, which he said can cause massive humanitarian crises with detrimental impacts on economies, health, education, peace and security, among other risks.
"Furthermore, extreme weather events and changes in water cycle patterns are making it more difficult to access safe drinking water, resulting in about 400 million people in Africa having no access to clean drinking water and 700 million without good sanitation.”
Focus on funding
He said countries should promote the production of green hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives such as green fertiliser and synthetic fuels.
“We call for the operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund as agreed at COP27 and resolve for a measurable Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) with indicators and targets to enable assessment of progress against the negative impacts of climate change.”
He said the implementation of the Africa Water Investment Programme should also be supported, as it aims to close the Africa water investment gap by mobilising US$30 billion by 2030.
Schlettwein added that they should consider strengthening the existing African Union institutions, change the approach from being donor-driven to self-initiated and self-financed, and supporting the operationalisation of the fund.
“Africa is not the cause of climate change, nor has it the commensurate benefit from industrialisation.”
New priorities
He said African countries should shift the financing priority towards the climate change agenda, as war is not a priority, and elevate water in the climate change agenda.
“The water cycle is directly impacted by climate change, and 90% of the impacts of climate change are water-related.”
According to Schlettwein, countries should also develop binding protocols globally and within Africa to ensure implementation of the water crisis and climate change agendas and developmental priorities.
“To be successful in our quest to shape the outcome of COP 28, Africa must insist on aspects that matter most for her people. Africa must be given the required space to contribute and play its important role in fending off this existential crisis.”
The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, more commonly referred to as COP28, will be the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference. It is taking place from 30 November until 12 December.
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