African civil society calls for urgent climate finance action at COP29

African Civil Societies are urging world leaders to prioritize adaptation and Loss and Damage funds plus a just transition to address the pressing climate change needs of Africa during the upcoming COP 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The African CSOs have highlighted the urgent need for global commitments on adaptation, just transition, establishment of an ambitious sub-goal for adaptation finance that prioritizes public, grant-based support for developing countries as outlined in nationally determined contributions and the National Adaptation Plans.

The Pan African Climate Justice Alliance Executive Director Dr. Mithika Mwenda, says the COP29’s negotiations must address Africa’s pressing adaptation needs as well as the actualization of the Loss and Damage Fund which is supposed to help the Global South address climate induced calamities like drought and floods.

Speaking in Baku ahead of the COP 29 which opens on Monday, Dr.Mwenda says this is the time to shift from policy discussions to tangible actions to address the climate crisis effectively and take meaningful steps toward a sustainable future.

The press briefing brought together tens of non governmental organizations under the PACJA umbrella, policymakers and community stakeholders to call for stronger climate action, accountability, and a new collective goal for climate finance.

According to experts’ estimates the adaptation finance gap for developing nations remains largely unmet at 20 billion Dollars annually which is almost 20 times below the needed funds.

Developing countres require between 200 to 366 billion dollars to meet adaptation demands.

Prof. Seth Osafo, Senior Legal Advisor at Africa Group of Negotiators has called on delegates attending the meeting to reimagine the quality of finance, moving beyond debt-based approaches which currently stands at 72% to include concessional loans, grants, and innovative financing mechanisms.

He further added that funding must be accessible, predictable, and structured to prioritise essential sub-goals like Loss and Damage and adaptation finance.

Delegates from more than 200 countries have started arriving in the mineral rich Azerbaijan which is host of COP 29.

More than fifty thousand delegates are expected to flock to the Baku stadium for the 10 day event which has been dubbed as the COP of Finance.