AMCEN: I’ll push for redeeming of $100bn climate pledge, says Al Jaber

Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 president, says he will continue to put pressure on developed countries to deliver on the $100 billion climate finance pledge made to developing countries.

He said fulfilling the pledge will go a long way in helping these countries adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Speaking at the ongoing 19th session of the African Ministerial Conference on the  Environment (AMCEN) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Jaber said science has shown that current global efforts are not enough.

AMCEN, which started on 14 August and is set to end on 18 August, 2023, brings together environment ministers from the 54 African countries.

It aims to provide advocacy for environmental protection on the continent.

Jaber highlighted the need for urgent action, adaptation financing and energy transition to put the world back on track to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and keep 1.5C within reach.

He added that Africa is well positioned as a continent on the frontline of climate change to also lead the energy transition drive.

“With just over 100 days before the world gathers in Dubai for COP28, both science and common sense are telling us that our collective response to climate change is nowhere near good enough,” he said. 

“When it comes to transitioning to an energy system free of unabated fossil fuels, Africa has many lessons for the rest of us.

“Here in Ethiopia, almost 100 per cent of the country’s energy comes from renewable hydro power. 

“Across this great continent, a young and growing population is seizing the potential of other clean energy sources from wind to solar and choosing low carbon economic growth.”

LACK OF FINANCE INHIBITING AFRICA’S CLEAN ENERGY POTENTIAL

He also said the funding gap is inhibiting the continent’s potential as only about one tenth of global climate finance gets to the continent.

He added that there is a need to reform international climate financing. 

“First, the international community must come through with the $100 billion pledge they made over a decade ago,” he said. 

“I will continue to press donor countries to ensure delivery no later than this year. 

“Next, the entire global financial architecture from IFIs to MDBs needs modernising.

“They were built for the second half of the last century. They urgently need to be upgraded to meet the needs of this one.

“We must operationalize the fund and funding arrangements for Loss and Damage, and early pledges are vital to ensure we live up to the commitments made at Sharm El Sheikh.”