PACJA-led Road to COP26 Conference Opens in Abuja, Nigeria

More than a hundred civil society representatives from across Africa have begun meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, to develop a common position ahead of COP26, the climate change summit, billed for Glasgow, UK, later this year.

The meeting is holding against the backdrop of little progress in international efforts to address the climate crisis, which has been made worse in the last few years by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Africa continues to be the epicentre of the climate crisis in terms of the devastations wrecking communities. From cyclones to drought; unpredictable rains to heatwaves; flash floods to desertification; African communities already experience life-changing effects of climate change on agriculture, water resources, livestock production and even spirituality.

“Some of these effects may already be irreversible” said Dr Mithika Mwenda, executive director of PACJA, as he opened the discussions early Monday.

At the end of two days of discussions, the CSO representatives are expected to press for a COP26 outcome that reflects the “special circumstances and needs of Africa” created by the injustices of climate change such as the disproportionate vulnerabilities and warming that its people face despite insignificant contribution to global warming.

Speakers on the first day have indicated that they also intend to advocate actions and financial flows that in addition to reducing emissions create thriving and resilient communities in every corner of the continent, however remote.

Dr Mwenda noted:

“Despite decades of strong declarations and promises, the international community has yet to fully respond to the unique needs of African countries. We are in the situation we find ourselves in even though we contribute insignificantly to global warming.

“Africans have neither benefitted as others from the fruits of earth-warming industrialization; nor can they protect themselves from the effects of looming climate meltdown. For us, the climate crisis is a crisis of numerous injustices to the people of Africa.”

The conference will also generate recommendations for a sustainable and low carbon pandemic recovery that addresses the full range of economic, social, health and environmental impacts sustained by the African people.

Several meetings are planned focusing on a range of thematic issues, including energy, transitional justice, climate justice and reproductive health.

To join the deliberations online, register here https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIlf-GsrTwrHdOm7s7z19tZfGjbt1FRbWUd