Non-state organization under the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) umbrella have raised concerns over what they call poor organization of the Africa Climate Summit set to begin on September 4 in Nairobi.
In a statement made on Sunday, September 3, PACJA decried the exclusion of civil society and the domination of Western interests which they say risk spoiling the summit.
“We’re concerned that the Summit agenda favors corporations over people and the planet. There’s still time to prioritize climate justice, adaptation, finance, and human rights,” PACJA noted.
According to PACJA, organizers of the Africa Climate Summit deliberately failed to ensure adequate participation and consultation with non-State actors, particularly those from the most vulnerable and marginalized communities, in the planning and implementation of the Summit.
“We believe that, even though we have a few hours to go before the Summit kicks off, President William Ruto and the African Union have an opportunity to rethink the agenda.
Issues that we believe are firmly and fundamentally crucial for the well-being of Africa,” reads part of the joint statement presented by Dr. Augustine Ndjamnshi, President of Political and Technical Affairs of the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA).
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Moreover, Ndjamnshi highlighted that ignoring African legislatures in preparations of the summit proves misrepresentation of Africa in the Summit.
“African parliamentarians are conspicuously missing in the consultation process, yet their representation, legislation and oversight role is apparent in processes such as the Africa Climate Summit,” stated Ndjamnshi.
Likewise, Ndjamshi stated that the Africa Climate Summit has majored on promoting market-based solutions and transnational corporations’ involvement at the expense of the needs of the African people.
“African citizens have waited too long to have such a gathering, and we urge the organizers to ensure that the summit is genuinely inclusive, transparent, and accountable. We do not wish this Summit to be a missed opportunity to address Africa’s climate crisis,” he said.
Demands to African Leaders as Africa Climate Summit starts
Nonetheless, PACJA has called on African Leaders to stand by the principles of climate justice, human rights, gender equality, and intergenerational equity in all climate policies and actions.
They urged African leaders to recognize the urgent need to address climate emergency and protect the rights and livelihoods of their citizens.
The group wants developed countries to provide adequate and predictable financing, technology transfer and capacity building to support adaptation, mitigation and loss and damage in Africa.
“We demand that developed countries fulfil their historical responsibility and provide adequate finance, technology transfer, and capacity building to support adaptation, mitigation, and loss and damage in Africa,” reads part of the statement.
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Likewise, PACJA rejected false solutions and narratives such as carbon markets, geoengineering, nuclear energy and the principles of shared responsibility.
“We reject the false solutions undermining African communities’ rights, interests and sovereignty, such as carbon markets, geoengineering, nuclear energy, and shared responsibility principles.”
PACJA also stressed the need for African leaders to place the African people above all personal and collective political and economic interests.
