Quarter 4 October- December 2023 Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance Voices Round-Up

2023: Qt 4 Newsletter

Throughout the past year, our team has been fully engaged and diligently occupied with a multitude of responsibilities and projects., marked by the inaugural global stock take for the Paris Agreement. This period involved significant consolidation and meticulous account-taking while holding individuals and entities accountable. Our collective commitments were scrutinized to assess progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing Africa’s adaptive capacity, and fortifying the resilience of those on the front lines of the climate crisis. Additionally, we examined the transition away from fossil fuels, emphasizing the imperative of ensuring affordable and clean energy access for low and middle-income countries.

At the forefront of our efforts was the “Keep Your Promise” campaign—an ongoing, collaborative initiative stemming from the Climate Justice Torch Campaign. The campaign’s core principles centred on doubling adaptation finance, unlocking climate finance, promoting just and equitable energy access, and addressing loss and damage. In the face of climate-related catastrophes, ranging from wildfires in North Africa to floods in the DRC, Rwanda, and Kenya, as well as Cyclone Freddy’s devastating impact in the south and drought in the Horn of Africa, we assert that these losses and damages can be averted through collective commitment, unity, and action.

While encountering a significant hurdle with the World Bank initially holding the fund, COP28 marked a historic moment within its first 20 minutes, as the loss and damage fund was operationalized, along with the adoption of a swift agenda. We persevered in advocating for prioritizing adaptation efforts in Africa and cautioned against misguided solutions, such as carbon markets. Our stance remains steadfast in championing equitable and fair climate action globally.

As we conclude this 2023, we take pride in our role as champions who have brought together non-state actors, the private sector, and, in some instances, governments to collaboratively work towards achieving climate justice. We aspire to leave behind a better world for future generations to call home, and we remain committed to this cause as we move into the upcoming year. Read more here RoundUp Voices – Qt 4 2023