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As COP28 Begins, Where Are Africa's Climate Crisis Priorities?

What hope is there of a favourable outcome for African countries at COP28? This as already low expectations have dwindled even further, for a COP hosted by the United Arab Emirates, a major oil producing country. The talks are being led by Sultan Al Jaber, the head of the national oil company Adnoc. It has also been reported that Al Jaber "was briefed to advance the interests of the businesses he leads before dozens of bilateral meetings about the climate summit". In other words, the country was reportedly hoping to conclude new oil deals during the talks. This as we face a global crisis that experts say means no new oil and gas deposits should be developed if we want a livable future.

Where does this leave the most vulnerable countries, such as those on the African continent?

Brock Hicks writes for African Arguments that following the African Climate Summit convened by Kenya's President William Ruto, more than 500 civil society organisations said that the Summit's concept note, - reportedly written by U.S.-based consultancy McKinsey - "reflects the interests of the U.S., McKinsey and the Western corporations they represent, while Africa's priorities are missing.

He writes that the proposed solutions, pushed under the banner of green growth, ... "relies on the destructive paradigm of consumption-driven development".

"Ever more intricate market fixes are not substitutes for robust economic and environmental regulation and enforcement. Nor do they replace our need for more radical systemic transformations. Technological innovation cannot exist in a vacuum - we must pair it with social and cultural innovation".

InFocus

InFocus

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Don't Gas Africa campaign at COP27.

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