PACJA, Partners underscore Adaptation and Finance as top priorities for Africa

The Pan African Climate Justice Alliance, along with CARE International and other partners, held a press conference to underline Adaptation and Finance as top priorities for Africa. The conference was held after two days of comprehensive discussions, with the aim of promoting accountability and advancing the climate finance agenda, with a particular focus on the adaptation needs of the African continent. The event took place on the sidelines of the 10th Africa Regional Sustainable Development Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and was attended by media and other participants, including university students.

During the press conference, Obed Koringo from CARE International, Kenya reminded participants that Africa is still struggling with the adverse impact of climate change and that the budget for adaptation is insufficient. He emphasized that adaptation finance is key, as parties are updating their nationally determined contributions (NDCs). “We need indicators that should guide the implementation of GGA and see our experts playing a crucial role in developing African evidence that informs Global goals on adaptation,” said Obed.

The global goal on adaptation is established under Article 7 of the Paris Agreement, which stipulates that the GGA should enhance adaptive capacity, strengthen resilience, and reduce vulnerability to climate change. During the discussions held on the 17th and 18th, lack of evidence and reliance on external data were highlighted as an issue hindering Africa from taking an influencing position as far as adaptation finance is concerned and Collective quantified goals on Adaptation.

Dr. Meseret, a lecturer at Kotebe Metropolitan University, indicated that climate finance should be based on research and evidence that support decision-makers in making evidence-based and informed decisions.

Peter Odhengo, the FLLOCA National Coordinator Kenya, urged the use of data and advised that the advocacy should not only focus on South-North learning but also encourage African countries to embrace South-South cooperation in addressing the issue of climate finance. He said that the advocacy should also consider Locally led climate action (FLLOCA) under implementation in Kenya, which he said can serve as a typical example for other countries.

Partners drew key recommendations, including centring national adaptation plans and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0), actualizing the Global Goal on adaptation, a progressive outlook for the New collective and quantifiable goal on climate finance, anchoring the loss and damage fund in the New collective and quantifiable goal, securing just access modalities for enhanced access to climate finance to frontline communities, and advancing the definition of Climate Justice.

Read the  full Press statement here