- COP28 President-Designate Dr Sultan Al Jaber says Africa is a leading force in energy transition and there is a need for increased finance.
- Dr Al Jaber calls on the international community to unite on international climate finance, citing progress at a recent meeting of major global economists in Abu Dhabi.
- Dr Al Jaber held meetings with African leaders in Ethiopia to discuss the COP28 climate finance and energy transition agenda. He called on the leaders to share their priority outcomes and key contributions for COP28.
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, the President-Designate of COP28, delivered a compelling address at the nineteenth session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), outlining his vision for the upcoming COP28 and emphasizing the critical need for adaptation of climate finance and an accelerated energy transition in Africa.
Climate finance critical in energy transition
AMCEN, a vital partner to COP28, convenes environment ministers from all 54 African nations. It is providing a platform for policy coordination and political guidance across the continent.
Dr. Al Jaber highlighted the urgency of global action to align with the goals of the Paris Agreement. The Paris Agreement set an ambitious target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
“As we approach COP28 in Dubai, the science and rationality demand a stronger response to climate change. Our collective efforts must rise to the challenge,” Dr. Al Jaber remarked. Recognizing Africa’s dual role as a frontline of climate impacts and a leading driver of the energy transition, he commended the continent’s adoption of renewable energy sources.
“Africa, exemplified by Ethiopia’s near-100 per cent reliance on renewable hydro power, showcases the potential of clean energy. The young population is embracing low-carbon growth, utilizing wind and solar resources,” he stated.
Despite Africa’s potential, the chronic scarcity of accessible and affordable climate finance remains a significant hurdle, with only a fraction of global climate finance directed to the continent.
Vital steps for climate finance reform
Dr. Al Jaber underscored the pressing need to overhaul international climate finance mechanisms.
“The global community must deliver on the decade-old $100 billion pledge. Reformation of the financial architecture, from international financial institutions to multilateral development banks, is overdue,” he urged.
Addressing loss and damage, he emphasized operationalizing funding, requiring early commitments to fulfill commitments set out in Sharm El Sheikh. Notably, Dr. Al Jaber cited the Independent High-Level Expert Group (IHLEG) meeting, where top economists discussed climate finance reforms.
This event, attended by prominent figures including IHLEG co-chairs Lord Nicholas Stern and Dr. Vera Songwe, laid out a comprehensive roadmap for implementing recommendations. The detailed report will be presented to world leaders at COP28.
Looking ahead, Dr. Al Jaber announced the COP28 UAE Presidency’s collaboration with the UK, Malawi, and Vanuatu governments to co-host the third Climate and Development Ministerial.
Access to adaptation finance
This significant event, scheduled for October 29 during the formal ‘pre-COP’ period, will focus on advancing access to adaptation finance. Ministers, leaders, and representatives from allied nations, IFIs, MDBs, Climate Funds, and multinational organizations will participate.
During his visit to Ethiopia, Dr. Al Jaber engaged African leaders, including Alioune Ndoye, Minister of Environment of Senegal. He also engaged Barbra Creecy, Minister of Forestry and Environmental Affairs of South Africa. Dr Al Jaber held talks with Collins Nzovu, Minister of Green Economy and Environment in Zambia, too.
“Here in Ethiopia, almost 100 per cent of the country’s energy comes from renewable hydro power. Neighboring Kenya runs on almost 90 percent clean energy with a practical plan to source 100 per cent by 2030. And across this great continent, a young and growing population is seizing the potential of other clean energy sources from wind to solar and choosing low carbon economic growth,” he noted.
Commending Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative, Dr. Al Jaber lauded the creation of over 767,000 green jobs through afforestation and reforestation efforts under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali’s leadership.
Dr. Al Jaber’s engagement in the AMCEN summit marked a pivotal moment in mobilizing African leaders for COP28. It also sets the stage for robust outcomes in international climate finance discussions, including those related to loss and damage.
