By Kayeli Ian

African Heads of State and Government have adopted the Nairobi declaration on climate action at the end of the African climate summit held in Nairobi, Kenya, on 6 September 2023. The declaration highlights the continent’s potential as a green powerhouse and calls for urgent and concerted action from all nations to lower emissions and reduce the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

The declaration was signed by 54 African leaders, representing all the regional economic communities and the African Union. The summit was convened by the African Union in collaboration with the government of Kenya.

The declaration reflects the common vision and commitment of African leaders to address the climate crisis and its impacts on the continent, which is home to 17% of the world’s population but contributes only 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The declaration also recognizes the continent’s rich natural resources, renewable energy potential, and innovative solutions that can contribute to a low-carbon and climate-resilient development.

Among the key resolutions agreed upon by the African leaders are:

• To call for world leaders to rally behind a global carbon tax on fossil fuels, aviation and maritime transport, which would generate revenues for climate finance and incentivize a shift to cleaner energy sources .
• To call for financial reforms to help African countries access affordable and sustainable financing for climate action, including debt relief, increased official development assistance, enhanced domestic resource mobilization, and innovative sources of finance .
• To call for the full implementation of all COP27 decisions, in particular loss and damage, just transition and energy, which are critical for Africa’s adaptation and mitigation efforts.
• To call for the global community to act with urgency in reducing emissions, fulfilling its obligations, keeping past promises, and supporting the continent in addressing climate change, which poses an existential threat to Africa’s development and security.
• To call for the decarbonization of the global economy as an opportunity to contribute to equality and shared prosperity, by creating green jobs, enhancing social protection, promoting gender equality, and ensuring a just transition for workers and communities affected by the shift to a low-carbon economy.

The declaration also reaffirms the African leaders’ support for the Paris Agreement on climate change and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It also expresses solidarity with other vulnerable regions, such as small island developing states and least developed countries, in their efforts to cope with the impacts of climate change.

The declaration is expected to inform and influence the upcoming COP28 conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where world leaders will gather to review progress and set new targets for global climate action. The declaration also sets the stage for enhanced cooperation and coordination among African countries and partners in implementing their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

The Nairobi declaration is a historic milestone for Africa’s leadership and ambition on climate action. It demonstrates the continent’s determination to play its part in tackling the climate crisis and seizing the opportunities of a green future. It also sends a strong message to the world that Africa is ready to lead by example and work with others in building a more sustainable and resilient planet.