Diana Kibuuka
Greenpeace Africa has delivered a petition signed by 10,000 people to the African Group of Negotiators (AGN) at COP 29. The petition, presented to AGN Chairman Amb. Ali Mohamed outlines key demands for an ambitious climate finance package, a renewable energy future and climate justice for Africa.
While presenting the petition to Ambassador Ali Mohamed, the Program Director at Greenpeace Africa, Murtala Touray said, the petition whose key demands include; investments in renewable energy solutions, an immediate end to new fossil fuel projects, and ensuring climate finance reaches vulnerable communities, making the polluters pay and rejection of false solutions like carbon offsetting. , represents the voices of thousands of Africans who are already experiencing the devastating impacts of climate change.
“We are calling on our negotiators to stand firm in demanding that fossil fuel companies pay their fair share for the damage they’ve caused to our communities and environment,” added Murtala
Fred Njehu, Pan-African Political Strategist for Greenpeace Africa says, Africa’s future must be renewable, not fossil-fueled. Njehu sees it possible that the African Group of Negotiators have a historic opportunity at COP29 to champion real sustainable solutions that will protect our communities and ecosystems. He however notes that this requires bold leadership that prioritizes people over profits and ensures a just transition to renewable energy systems across the continent.
On receiving the petition, Ambassador Ali Mohamed pledged to support the position of the African Civil Society Organizations and communities in our negotiations.
“I’m looking forward to working with you and responding to the challenges our different communities face. We look forward to a successful COP outcome,” he noted
The petition handover comes at a crucial time as African nations seek to secure meaningful commitments for climate action and financial support under a new collective and quantified climate goal at COP29. Scientific Projections show that 118 million Africans could be at risk from climate-related disasters by 2030.
Petition Details Explanations
- Investments in renewable energy solutions that empower local communities and promote energy access for all. We are seeking to address the energy poverty in Africa by pursuing a low-carbon development pathway by transitioning away from fossil fuels and investing in renewable energy sources to address energy access for African citizens.
- Ending all new fossil fuel projects – they are pushing people and our environment to the brink. We are asking the African negotiators to include strong language to phase out fossil fuels in their national climate plans (NDCs) as a signal to accelerate the just energy transition. Governments must agree to action to make the fossil fuel industry, and other high-emitting sectors, pay for climate action in Africa and other developing countries.
- Ensuring climate finance supports vulnerable communities affected by climate change. We urge the African negotiators to continue advocating for predictable, accessible and adequate climate finance that is in the form of grants and not loans. The new collective and quantified goal on finance (NCQG) should reflect the scale and speed based on assessed needs and ensure that it is adequate, and does not exacerbate debt to both governments and local communities.
- Making polluters pay to generate funds for climate action. We are calling on governments to ensure the world’s biggest polluters – above all the fossil fuel industry – are not let off the hook. Because fossil fuels are the single biggest cause of climate change – responsible for 85% of carbon emissions and 70% of GHG emissions. That means that at COP29, as well as enshrining the responsibility of nations, the new goal must be a turning point for making corporate polluters pay.