Nairobi will soon start welcoming leaders from across the continent as the Government of Kenya hosts Africa Climate Week from September 4 to 8. The annual get-together is scheduled to feature business leaders, policymakers and environmental campaigners from across Africa.
The participants are expected to engage in discussions on ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while adapting to the pressing consequences of the climate crisis. The event has come against a backdrop of rapidly rising temperatures in multiple parts of the world.
Unprecedented heatwaves and record-setting temperatures have been causing more frequent extreme weather events and prolonged droughts in different regions, triggering food shortages and loss of lives. Circumstances, however, are especially dire in Africa.
Despite contributing to less than 3% of total global emissions, the continent is facing an outsized burden from climate change. Leaders engaging in discussions at the September event are expected to step up calls for financial support to help Africans adapt to the emergency.
Bearing Undue Burdens From A Crisis They Didn’t Cause
Organised by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the UN Environment Programme, the UN Development Programme and the World Bank, with the support of regional partners, Africa Climate Week 2023 is designed to build momentum ahead of COP28 this year.
Despite its minimal contributions to global emissions, Africa continues to bear undue burdens from a crisis it didn’t cause, especially in conflict-stricken regions. Climate impacts are exacerbated when they combine with poverty and rampant violence.
Unfortunately, developed nations’ climate financing commitments for regions grappling with wars remain inadequate. A focus on increasing funding and improving resilience is key to ensuring the brutally affected communities are not left behind in the pursuit of solutions.
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Calling for elevated attention to climate-vulnerable, conflict-affected communities, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has urged richer nations to fulfill their commitment of $100 billion annual climate finance, allocating 50% to adaptation efforts.
