Lusaka, Tuesday, 12th December, 2023 –
Minister of Green Economy and Environment Eng. Collins Nzovu MP says Africa cannot accept a Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) framework without means of implementation from developed countries for developing countries, especially on the targets.
Delivering the second press statement on behalf of the African Group on the Status of Negotiations at COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Nzovu, who is Chair of the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change (AGN), reiterated that adaptation is a key issue for Africa, and an outcome on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) has been the key demand.
“We will not agree on anything here unless Africa’s top priorities are met, which to us, is a Global Goal on Adaptation 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,” he said.
“We demand for a standing agenda item on GGA and further work on metrics and indicators for tracking progress, including inviting input from the IPCC at a workshop and a longer-term task force for adaptation beyond the GGA framework.”
Nzovu said the GGA outcome must address thematic targets and dimensional targets on equal footing and the targets must be measurable and time-bound to enable tracking of progress.
He said tracking progress, which is outcome-based is important in reducing impacts and risks.
The Minister noted the critical importance of the GGA in the GST, which must assess collective progress on implementation.
He said it was therefore imperative that the GGA outcome must have strong language on the Global Stock Take (GST).
Nzovu said despite the strain on the budgets and the increasing burden of debt, African governments have committed significant domestic resources on adaptation.
He, however, said only scaled up, adequate and predictable international public finance can close the widening gap.
Nzovu said means of implementation is therefore the cornerstone for realising the GGA and its framework.
Nzovu noted that on the Global Stock Take, the outcome must recognize Africa’s Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication imperatives that are consistent with “Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want” if the continent is to successfully address pressing developmental challenges and support global efforts to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.
He said the GST outcome must promote equity and fairness in the allocation of policy space, and ensure that the energy transition will be just, equitable and orderly, as such the transition should be premised on differentiated pathways to net zero and fossil-fuel phasedown.
Nzovu said Africa holds 6 percent of known global reserves of oil and gas and accounts for about 12% of global production.
“Therefore, significant concessional financial support for our transition is essential, if we are to move away from the exploitation of fossil fuels,” said Nzovu.
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