Africa Climate Summit: Accelerating Green Growth and Climate Finance Solutions for Africa and the World

On September 4-6, 2023, Nairobi, Kenya hosted the Africa Climate Summit, it coincided with Africa Climate Week. The Africa Climate Summit (ACS) brought international leaders, intergovernmental organizations, Regional Economic Communities, UN agencies, the private sector, civil society organizations, local communities, farmer organizations, children, youth, women, and academia to discuss Africa’s climate change challenges and develop sustainable solutions. The theme of the Africa Climate Summit 2023 was “Driving Green Growth and Climate Finance Solutions for Africa and the World.” The summit intended to accelerate climate action in Africa and mobilize the financial resources required to promote a just and equitable transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient future. Also, to consider ways to cut greenhouse gas emissions while also preparing for the growing effects of the climate catastrophe. On the last day of an important climate summit, African political and corporate leaders adopted a declaration to address climate concerns in Africa.

“Africa’s youth is precisely the attribute that has inspired African leaders to imagine a future where Africa steps on to the stage as an economic and industrial power, an effective and positive actor in the global arena,” said Kenyan President William Ruto. He said that the continent is ideally situated to take the lead in combating climate change, according to a number of factors. Ruto added, “Africa is the continent with 60% of the continent’s renewable energy assets, including solar, wind, geothermal and hydropower.” The President of the African Development Bank, Adesina, said “The Africa Climate Summit will shape the future pathway of Africa’s development” and also praised Ruto for taking the initiative for organizing a conference.

The significance of climate justice for Africa was also emphasized at the conference. Despite making very little contribution to the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, African nations are disproportionately impacted by the climate problem. The leaders of Africa urged that developed countries take immediate action to cut carbon emissions and recommended a new financial framework to restructure Africa’s debt and unleash funds for climate change. African leaders present at the inaugural Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, emphasized the necessity of decarbonizing the global economy for equity and shared prosperity in a call to action. In order for the continent to move to low carbon development and make a contribution to global decarbonization, they asked for investment to support the sustainable use of Africa’s natural resources. As a means of increasing climate funding and motivating nations to reduce emissions, the implementation of a worldwide carbon tax system is required

From the United States, John Kerry, the special Presidential Envoy for climate change, as well as representatives from the Department of Energy, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) attended the Africa Climate Summit. At the Summit, the United States announced significant investments. According to the United States Department of State, U.S. intends to provide $30 million to initiatives under President’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience (PREPARE) in Africa. An additional total of $45 million will be given to the Africa Adaptation Initiative (AAI) Food Security Accelerator, which will accelerate and scale up private sector investments in climate resilient food security in Africa. The United States has also made a commitment to mobilize investments in African climate solutions, ecosystem conservation, and urban resilience. Through DFC and USAID initiatives, more than $200 million in funding will be provided to increase access to renewable energy in Africa.

Global leaders utilized the Climate Summit to announce funding commitments for sustainable development and green growth. A wide spectrum of stakeholders was present at the conference to debate and make pledges regarding climate action in Africa. Now is the moment to put words into action. Aside from increasing political will for climate action, the Africa Climate Summit 2023 has the ability to increase awareness of the continent’s climate action. There is a hope that the process of cutting greenhouse gas emissions will accelerate to tackle the effects of climate change, and creating a future for Africa and the world that is more climate resilient.