World Leaders Urged to Commit to Climate Finance for Africa as COP29 Opens in Baku
By Shadrack Nyakoe
Greenpeace Africa is urging world leaders to commit to substantial climate finance to support African nations most impacted by the climate crisis as the 29th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP29) opens in Baku,
The call highlights the need for an ambitious Climate Damages Tax on polluters to help fund loss and damage reparations, addressing the disproportionate impacts experienced by African communities who have contributed minimally to global emissions.
In a statement, Murtala Touray, Program Director at Greenpeace Africa, emphasized the importance of COP29 for setting an ambitious New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) to scale up climate financing. “Africa stands at a critical crossroads,” Touray said. “World leaders should recognize the severe droughts in the Horn of Africa and the catastrophic flooding in West and Southern Africa that continue to threaten lives, livelihoods, and food security across the continent.”
Touray noted that, without adequate climate finance, most African countries will struggle to meet their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to combat climate change.
“Despite contributing the least to global emissions, Africa is facing some of the most severe consequences. It’s time for wealthy nations and fossil fuel companies to pay their fair share,” he added, calling for the adoption of a Climate Damages Tax on fossil fuel extraction to provide climate justice for marginalized African communities.
Greenpeace Africa points to research suggesting climate change could reduce African economies by up to 15% of GDP by 2030. The continent, rich in renewable energy potential, especially solar, holds 40% of the global solar capacity but receives only 2% of renewable energy investment.
Greenpeace also notes that renewable energy projects could create three to five times more jobs than fossil fuel projects.
Fred Njehu, Pan-African Political Strategist at Greenpeace Africa, underscored the need for COP29 to produce concrete outcomes aligned with the 1.5°C global temperature goal. “Africa has the potential to lead the global transition to renewable energy, but that potential is being undermined by continued fossil fuel exploitation and insufficient climate financing,” Njehu stated. “COP29 must go beyond empty promises and ensure real action on climate finance and fossil fuel reduction.”
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Greenpeace Africa’s demands at COP29 include: Implementation of a Climate Damages Tax on fossil fuel companies to fund loss and damage reparations, increased public climate finance under the NCQG, with a focus on Africa’s adaptation and mitigation needs and commitments for a just transition away from fossil fuels with concrete plans to meet the 1.5°C target.
Moreover, Greenpeace seeks protection against false solutions, such as carbon offsets that could harm Africa’s carbon-dense ecosystems and amplifying African voices, including youth, indigenous communities, and civil society organizations, in climate negotiations.
As COP29 progresses, African leaders and climate advocates will be watching closely to ensure these priorities are addressed, hoping the summit delivers more than just rhetoric in the push for climate justice.
