KIGALI, 12 April (IPS) – Climate change activist Mithika Mwenda, Executive Director of the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), is not reluctant to call on African governments to act do what it takes to commit to post-COVID-19 green growth strategies.
Through Africa’s post-COVID-19 green recovery roadmap, launched last July, governments have committed to achieving the Paris Agreement’s climate change and prosperity goals by how to apply environmentally friendly measures and do this in the context of COVID-19 recovery.
The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) shows that COVID-19 has caused the deepest economic recession. Current African governments’ recovery plans focus on climate finance, renewable energy, nature-based solutions, resilient agriculture and green and resilient cities. return.
Activists say African countries urgently need to move from talking shops in conferences to making green commitments.
Climate change activist Mithika Mwenda, Executive Director of the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance, said Africa was committed to implementing green growth strategies during the post-COVID-19 recovery. but it needs to make sure its commitments are real, not just on paper. Credit: Aimable Twahirwa / IPS
Mwenda told IPS that climate actors should not forget the shortcomings presented by the environmental crisis in terms of biodiversity loss, plastic threat, etc.
While addressing the climate crisis, most African countries will require a holistic approach to recovery planning and policymaking. Both climate experts and activists stress that African governments face a ‘huge challenge’ even as they seize the opportunity of a green transition, in order to support climate change initiatives. Developing countries rebuilding better from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The latest official report of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) indicates that by 2050 greenhouse gas emissions related to plastic production, use and disposal would account for 15% of allowed emissions, with the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C (34.7°F).
It is said that the transition to a circular economy could reduce the amount of plastic entering the oceans by more than 80% by 2040; reduce virgin plastic production by 55%, save the government US$70 billion by 2040, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% and create at least 700,000 jobs – mainly in the global south, especially is in sub-Saharan Africa.
While state members involved in the negotiations expressed optimism about the smooth implementation of the green economic recovery from COVID-19, some environmental activists believe that much will depend on what happens. is under threat as African countries commit unprecedented resources to a green recovery from COVID-19.
“There is one thing to work on (to support international agreements) and another to get it done,” Mwenda said, referring to the current situation in most countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
Creating local green jobs: USA, Italy and South Africa pointed out the benefits of adopting green solutions, especially job creation. The report determined that improving the energy efficiency of existing and new homes, schools and workplaces could create 900,000 jobs in South Africa.
“These urban actions will lead to significant emissions reductions, exceeding South Africa’s 2030 climate goals, giving South Africa more ambition to comply with the Paris Agreement,” the report states. South Africa is one of the African countries committed to a green recovery – although there have been mixed messages from politicians due to the country’s dependence on coal both domestically and for export.
The concerns of some politicians mirror those of other developing countries. Recent scientists Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warned that it was necessary to quickly cut emissions to limit global warming. However, one of the authors, Fatima Denton, warns that if this is done “at the expense of justice, poverty alleviation and inclusion, you will be back to where you started.”
The report also warns that it is important to ensure that youth, indigenous communities and workers are all on board.
During the fifth session of the United Nations Environment Council in March in Nairobi, Kenya, the historic agreement on green environmental recovery from COVID-19 was adopted based on three initial draft resolutions. from countries, to form the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC), which has been appointed to complete a draft globally binding agreement by the end of 2024.
According to Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP, this is the most important multilateral environmental agreement since the Paris accord.
The historic resolution, titled “Ultimate Plastic Pollution: Towards an Internationally Binding Instrument”, was passed after three days. UNEA-5.2 The meeting was attended by more than 3,400 face-to-face and 1,500 online participants from 175 United Nations member states, including 79 ministers and 17 senior officials.
“This is an insurance policy for this generation and those in the future, so they can live with plastic and not be destroyed by it,” Andersen said.
While humanity is facing pandemic, economic crisis and ecological degradation, African governments are urged to put their countries on sustainable trajectories, prioritizing economic opportunity, reducing poverty. and planetary health.
The continent holds 30% of the world’s mineral reserves and 65% of arable land. It has a huge source of renewable energy, according to UNEP estimates.
According to environmental experts, the best way to simultaneously tackle these problems in Africa is to prioritize green investments in COVID-19 recovery by mobilizing assets that support sustainable use. resources.
As the economic impact of COVID-19 has increased existing inequalities, it has become increasingly important for countries to rebuild their economies and strengthen their resilience to future shocks. more important.
While activists agree that green recovery initiatives are important for post-COVID-19 economies in Africa, the major challenge for these developing countries is access to this capital.
Faustin Vuningoma, Executive Secretary of the Rwanda Climate and Development Network (RCDN), told IPS that the capacity to develop green projects and meet the required criteria is for most countries in Africa. can easily hinder the developing world – especially in terms of access to resources.
“It is important for African countries to engage development partners with funding sources and ensure that they meet all the criteria to access these funds,” Vuningoma said.
Dr Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya, Rwanda’s Minister of the Environment, referring to the landmark agreement in Nairobi, said: “International partnerships will play an important role in solving a problem The issue affects all of us.
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