By Temwa Mhone
LUSAKA-(MaraviPost)-The African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change (AGN) has re-affirmed its commitment to ensuring that climate change adaptation remains a top agenda item for the continent.
Speaking on Wednesday at the first AGN Preparatory Meeting in Livingstone, Zambia held alongside the Young Climate Change Negotiators Training, Zambia’s Ministry of Green Economy and Environment Permanent Secretary, Eng. John Msimuko said adapting to the impacts of climate change remains one of the key challenges that Africa is facing.
“Adaptation remains a key priority as people, infrastructure and ecosystems on the continent continue to experience climate shocks and economic distress. The latest science by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has reported that Africa will need up to 86.5 billion USD for adaptation alone by 2030. Yet Africa only contributes approximately 4% to the global Green House gas emissions.
“Therefore, let us continue pursuing Africa’s special needs and special circumstances even at this year’s COP28. There is need for a transformative agenda on adaptation at COP28,” he said.
COP28 will be held in the United Arab Emirates from November 30 to December 122023.
In her presentation, Livingstone City Mayor, Constance Muleabai, highlighted the importance of adaptation to Africa.
“Climate Change has continued to adversely affect our tourism sector which the people of the city of Livingstone heavily rely on,” she said. “Due to increasing temperatures, we have been experiencing low water levels in the Zambezi River, leaving the falls almost dry. The immediate resultant effect is reduced numbers of tourists visiting the Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This means reduced incomes for the local communities.”
The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss the outcomes and achievements of COP27 and strategise on the group’s work plan and their expectations for the forthcoming sessions; SB58 in June and COP28 later in December.
The AGN chairperson Ephraim Mwepya Shitima said they will strive to clear inherent bias for mitigation at the expense of adaptation.
“As AGN, we would like to see an outcome that is comprehensive and balanced to facilitate progress across all the thematic areas, and respect the priority issues of all Parties and stakeholders.
The inherent bias in favour of mitigation ought to be rectified while the needs of adaptation and recognition of adaptation actions as part of the contribution of Parties towards the global effort should be accorded sufficient attention,” he added.
The African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change (AGN) is a technical body of the three-tier African negotiating structure that engages in the technical negotiations during the Conferences of the Parties (COPs) and the intersessional negotiations on Climate Change.
It was established in 1995 with the objective of representing the interests of Africa in the international climate change negotiations, with a common and unified voice.