At COP28 on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, the Africa Group of Negotiators (AGN) issued a statement, indicating that it would not agree to outcomes if Africa’s priorities were not addressed.
Among the priorities they outlined were calls for an adaptation framework with ambitious time-bound targets and clear support for implementation as well as significant concessional funding towards a just transition.
The group further indicated that Africa nations should have the opportunity to explore all its resources, including fossil fuels, a situation which some observers believe could undermine climate goals and the calls for an equitable fossil fuel phase out at COP28.
“We will not agree on anything here unless Africa’s top priorities are met, which to us, is a Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) framework. If we are serious about saving lives, livelihoods, and protecting ecosystems, then the GGA framework must have ambitious, time-bound targets with clear means of support for implementation,” stated Collins Nzovu, Zambian member of Parliament. He is also the country’s minister of green economy and environment.
Nzovu, who is the chair of the AGN group, was speaking at a press conference by the AGN group. The AGN represents all 54 countries on the African continent.
On Africa’s opportunity to explore its resources, including fossil fuels, a member of the Nigerian delegation said: “The IPCC report clearly mentioned that countries have alternatives, that net zero emission pathway must reflect differentials, it must reflect our local circumstances, our resources, our socio-economic contexts, etc. The developed world has just adopted what suites them, and we don’t believe that is total science.
“Asking Nigeria or Africa to phase out fossil fuel is asking us to stop breathing without life support. It is not acceptable. Nigeria is committed to tripling renewable energy, which requires transfer of technology and building local capacities, which are very important. We cannot just commit to one and not commit to the others.”
In a reaction, Landry Ninteretse, Regional Director, 350Africa.org, said: “Our leaders know all too well the harm that fossil fuels do to our communities. The voices of our people who are suffering from worsening impacts of fossil fuels should serve as their guide as they navigate this process, and they must act in the interest of the people.
“Reliance on fossil fuels not only sets us on a perilous path to further destruction but also won’t bring a tangible benefit in people’s lives and livelihoods. Fairness and differentiation are key to this energy transition. Historic polluters can’t move at the same pace as developed countries. Our continent is abundant in renewable energy resources that, if developed, can address the continent’s dual energy and climate crises.
“Neo-colonialist and extractivist approaches that have long characterized the fossil fuel exploitation must stop. Rather than fight to explore polluting fossils, focus should be on calling for developed nations to deliver adequate and favourable financing towards a fast and fair transition away from fossils.”
