African Development Bank Group-Civil Society Coalition On Climate and Energy Statement Presented at Civil Society High-Level Event at COP28

Civil society Organizations play key roles in pushing for new legislation, policies and strategies on climate change and financing while holding governments accountable to their commitments. They also advocate for appropriate government responses to climate change and ensure that national policymaking includes people from the bottom of the pyramid. Engagement with CSOs ensures participation, transparency and fosters trust in the African Development Bank’s work and its people-centered approach. It enhances accountability, risk mitigation, innovative approaches leading to improved developmental impact. The African Development Bank’s engagement with Civil Society has never been more important than in the context of climate change and financing.

In this regard, the African Development Bank Group-Civil Society Coalition on Climate and Energy held five (5) Regional Bank-Civil Society Forums across Africa from October to November 2023.  These forums discussed the Coalition’s COP27 commitments, analyzed the level of implementation of recommendations and identified priorities for COP28, amplifying the voices of marginalized African populations.

This joint declaration, following the one shared at COP27, represents the strong collaboration of the African Development Bank Group and Civil Society Organizations across the continent in addressing climate change and promoting green growth.

THE AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK GROUP-CIVIL SOCIETY COALITION ON CLIMATE AND ENERGY

CONSIDERS THAT :

1.The African Development Bank Group values civil society organizations for their increasingly important role in tackling climate change and financing, and promoting renewable energy, contributing to Africa’s inclusive sustainable development and green growth.

2.Africa is the continent most vulnerable to climate change, yet it receives the least amount of climate finance. According to the Climate Policy Initiative (2023), climate finance flows continued to fall short of needs, particularly in developing and low-income economies. Less than 3% of the global total (USD 30 billion) went to or within least developed countries (LDCs). The ten countries most affected by climate change between 2000 and 2019 received just USD 23 billion. This is far below the continent’s needs and potential, considering its abundant renewable energy resources and opportunities for low-carbon development. The African Economic Outlook (AEO) 2023 suggests that  between $2.6 trillion and $2.8 trillion is needed by 2030 to implement Africa’s climate Read More: English  French