FREETOWN, Sierra Leone, November 14 (IPS) – Sierra Leone is among the 10% of the world’s countries most vulnerable to the adverse consequences of climate change and is currently one of the least most likely to cope with the impact.
Unpredictable weather patterns, severe flooding, landslides and related crop failures are becoming more frequent even as the country is seeing trees being cut down at a faster rate than they are being planted.
And climate scientists tell us that if the world doesn’t achieve a drastic reduction in global warming in the next eight years, then the natural disasters we’ve seen in recent times around the world. world would be childish compared to what was to come.
COP27The 27th Conference of Member States, held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, is the annual United Nations meeting of governments, scientists and other key stakeholders from all over the world. countries around the world to review progress in efforts to prevent environmental disasters, against commitments in global climate action agreements.
Africa, the global region that has contributed the least to the ongoing climate crisis, has experienced some of the heaviest losses and damage from human-caused climate change.
So when the continent hosts this year’s COP, the main preoccupation will be to create a roadmap to deliver on unfulfilled promises from previous times. cop. This is particularly relevant in relation to the rich countries’ pending financial commitments to assist developing countries such as Sierra Leone to reduce their impacts and adapt to climate change.
It should be made clear that the issue of high-income countries’ climate finance obligations to developing countries is not an aid dependency but a climate justice issue.
There will be a significant push to increase funding for adaptation and recovery projects in low- and middle-income countries to generate positive impacts on economic growth, progress society and improve resilience to climate change.
A specific need would be for richer countries to make good on their $100 billion annual climate financing pledge and double adaptation assistance to $40 billion by 2025 agreed in Glasgow last year in COP26.
Among other concrete proposals to be vigorously adopted at COP27 is the establishment and activation of an early warning system for climate emergencies that within the next five years will cover the entire world.
Another way is a range of climate smart projects with funding potential (about 400 projects) in areas such as agriculture, energy, transportation, technology and digital platforms as well. as organic products. There will also be more interest in decisions and actions, especially financial ones, to deal with ‘loss and damage’ that are beyond the capacity of states to cope.
Sierra Leone, like many developing countries, is besieged today by a multifaceted crisis of food insecurity, near debt, skyrocketing costs of living and a potentially limited energy deficit. attention to the obvious and present danger posed by the climate crisis. to humanity.
However, as widespread challenges cannot be addressed with existing development finance and conventional practices, now is the time for the country to fully exploit the opportunities to benefit from sustainable solutions. sustainability and innovative climate finance.
There is a need for a change in policy thinking towards an integrated approach to simultaneously solve two or more issues related to livelihoods, job creation, human resource development, community health, and environmental protection. environment, gender equality, food security and access to energy.
A simple example would be solar interventions directly linked to improved agricultural practices, potable water availability, healthcare provision, and Internet connectivity for schools. high schools in the target districts.
Even more positive examples of the innovative and ambitious nature of integrated sustainability solutions will be highlighted, discussed and promoted at COP27.
As the top United Nations leader in Sierra Leone, an important part of my role is bringing together a variety of stakeholders including national authorities, international organizations and partners. from across civil society organizations to foster dialogue on climate action and outline common country goals. goals ahead of COP27.
Earlier last month, I convened the Climate Action Dialogue together with the Government of Sierra Leone, the High Commissioner of the United Kingdom and the European Union to strengthen the participation and coordination of the Sierra high-level delegation. Leone to COP27.
This dialogue was born out of discussions I had with the UK Government – who held the Presidency of the United Nations Climate Conference – COP26 in Glasgow last year.
Building on momentum from Glasgow, I undertook these discussions with the UK Government and the European Union this year to develop a diverse speaker program for the Climate Action Dialogue, which highlights Key priorities and potential actions for the private sector, NGOs, development partners, and government.
By convening the highest authorities in Sierra Leone together, this Dialogue helped focus efforts on concrete ways in which Sierra Leone can take advantage of its impressive natural assets ( including forests, agricultural assets, water resources, biodiversity and solar energy) to make climate finance accessible and promote nature-based solutions to drive economic recovery and long-term development plan.
The Dialogue also provides an important platform for stakeholders to discuss how Sierra Leone can benefit more from global climate funds. In light of this engagement, my team at the Office of the Resident Coordinator prepared the Climate Action Partnership Briefing to be made available to all attendees.
It is clear from these open discussions and constructive exchanges that Sierra Leone’s rich natural resources can be better used to take advantage of the financial and technological resources the country needs. for inclusive, green and sustainable economic growth, instead of cheaply exporting vital resources like key products.
Discussions are currently underway between the three hosting development partners – the United Nations, the UK and the EU – to plan further events that delve deeper into specific areas in Sierra Leone’s climate commitments.
We hope that Sierra Leone’s participation in COP27 (ending 18 November) will help accelerate the implementation of the next important steps agreed at the Dialogue Concerning Financial Models. climate policy and promote rapid scaling of climate-smart projects taking place across the country.
This includes forest conservation, solar and hydroelectric power generation and distribution, fisheries and coastal management, agriculture and agro-processing. It should also strengthen its commitment to deliver on the promise the country has made to end deforestation by 2030.
Like the rest of the world, climate change is affecting every aspect of Sierra Leonean economy and society. COP27 will therefore also emphasize to everyone the fact that urgent climate action is not the responsibility of governments alone.
Therefore, we encourage participants to the Conference, not only from the government, but also from civil society organizations, the private sector, the mass media, development agencies international and higher education institutions, returning home with a renewed commitment and ambition to join hands in pursuing climate emergency action and to participate fully in climate finance.
Only in this way can countries truly address the climate crisis in a way that protects national environmental resources, builds resilience to climate-related shocks, and promotes resilience. Sustainable development leaves no one behind.
Babatunde A. Ahonsi is the UN Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone.
Source: United Nations Sustainable Development Group
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