Climate Watch: African stakeholders call for action at Gabon summit ahead of COP27 

Despite directly impacting our communities, health and livelihood, climate-related reports usually take a back seat to dominant news beats like politics and business. Climate Watch aims to ensure you never miss important stories on climate change and actions being taken towards limiting its impact.

Here is a round-up of last week’s climate stories: 

In an ambitious debt-for-climate swap deal last week, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo asked developed countries to “forgive” some of the debts owed to them by African nations as a way to advance climate projects in the continent. He said the deal will advance the course of global net zero emissions targets while also facilitating energy access and the development of African countries. Describing the deal as a win-win proposal for all parties involved, Osinbajo added that the Nigerian government will be reaping billions of dollars in debt relief from some creditors if the deal is accepted. Read more here.

In another development, Osinbajo on his visit to the US also met with Vice-President Kamala Harris where he expressed hopes for a collaboration between both countries in addressing the challenges of insecurity, health and climate change. Osinbajo mentioned that Nigeria’s energy transition plan launched recently is important in addressing Nigeria’s dual crisis of climate change and poverty. He added that while the country looks forward to the 2060 carbon neutrality goal, it also hopes to address the issue of energy poverty in a shorter period by 2030. On her part, Harris commended Nigeria’s leadership on climate change and the recently launched energy transition plan. She said Nigeria is playing an important role in addressing the global climate crisis.

As flood sweeps through Nigerian communities, it has brought with it pain, anguish and tears as many lives continue to be lost on a daily basis as a result. Last week, the Jigawa state Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) said 51 people have died as a result of flooding in Jigawa communities. Sani Yusuf, executive secretary of SEMA, Jigawa command, said about 2,051 people have also been displaced in the state from the incident. Find out more here.

In a similar development, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) said seven persons died in the state as well as a result of flooding. Ibrahim Inga, director-general of NSEMA, said many houses, farms, bridges and roads that connect several areas were destroyed in the flood, while many persons were displaced. Also in Borno, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said owing to the heavy rainfall in the state, 15 bodies were recovered from the River Ngadabul in Maiduguri. Read more here and here.

More than 2,000 delegates gathered at Libreville, Gabon, to attend the Africa Climate Week held from August 29 to September 2. The conference brought together stakeholders from across the continent to address how best to unlock shared opportunities and manage the shared risks of the climate crisis. Mahmoud Mohieldin and Nigel Topping, UN Climate Change High level Champions, said Africa is key in solving the climate crisis, adding that climate finance should be made available for the continent to create real progress even with the sustainable development goals. On his part, Sameh Shoukry, COP27 president-designate, said the discussions at the Africa climate week have reiterated the need to further accelerate climate action on all fronts, namely in adaptation, loss and damage, climate finance, and adopting more ambitious mitigation measures. He said COP27 will strive to continue the vital dialogue needed to move from ambition to action.