PACJA discusses with South African delegates on Africa’s influence in global climate governance

Pan African Climate Justice Alliance, on Thursday, 20^th  April  played host to a delegation from government officials from South African government and delved in discusions aimed at asserting Africa’s influence in global climate governance, particularly of IPCC.

With the elections of IPCC leadership slotted for July 24^th – 28,^th it was important to have a persepctive of the evolving ecosystem of applicants for chairship role and the political alignments around this and what it portends for Africa.

The delegation from South Africa was represented by Mr. Simon Cardy, Director, Climate Change, Environment, Science and Technology, Debra Roberts, Working Group II Co-Chair, IPCC and  Marcelo. Dr. Mithika Mwenda, Executive Director PACJA, Ann Kobia , the Human Resource and Partnerships Manager and Philip Kilonzo, the Head of Policy, Advocacy and Comminucations played host on behalf of PACJA.

The key issue of representation of Africa and africa’s interests in IPCC was discussed at length in this meeting, noting the implications of the 11% representation that has so far been secured that has led to a solid chapter on Africa in the IPCC AR6 Report. It seems Africa is gaining momentum in this highly influential scientific body of the UNFCCC. This momentum should not be lost!

There is growing importance attached to the IPCCC decade of action and this importance needs to be fully demonstrated to policy and decision makers. As we move forward, the next crop of leadership at IPCC must not only strengthen African researcers and academia to make significant contributon to the research outputs of IPCC. More importantly, IPCC must take leadership in structuring evidence so generated in a manner that supports policy and programme actions in response to the evidence. The Science -policy -action nexus must be strengthened.

Pertinent questions regarding to how IPCC sustains its gold standards in science required in climate response is apparent. Beyond promoting greater equity and inclusion in IPCC, this requires action to promote greater intergration of the working groups while creating space for women leadership.

“The science -policy interface us important. Science and imperatives of climate justices are on our side (as Africa), and we must have policy discourse on facts as shared by IPCC”, Says Dr. Mithika Mwenda while emphasising that it is important for IPCC to maintain its gold standard

During the meeting, the South African government delegation discussed with PACJA leadership on the state of matters at play in the nomination of the Chair of IPCC, the evolving landscape and what Africa needs to do to secure the chairs slot. In the meeting, the S. African delegation too shared on their nomination of Debra Roberts for the role of the chair person and called for a pan african action in support for this nomination.

“This will be the only nomination from Africa and it is important for continent to galvanize its support for this South African nominee for this role, who is not on but a woman who has competence to interphase sceince and social discourse in IPCC reporting” said  Mr. Simon Cardy.

“It is important that those who are in the frontline of climate crisis to be in the leadership of climate science” said Dr. Mithika pointing to the need for the continent to work together to strengthen governance at IPCC.