African Ministers of the Environment have agreed on a
unified continental position at the Conference of Parties (COP) to the 19th
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations in
Warsaw, Poland, reports NaijaAgroNet.
Correspondent gathered that the jointly organized event with
the NEPAD Agency, African Union Commission and the Environment ministries, saw
to the consultative meeting also attended by some Heads of State and chaired by
Dr Terezya Huvisa, Minister of State for Environment, Tanzania.
Dr. Huvisa said that with 96 per cent of African agriculture
dependent on rainfall and 50 per cent of fisheries related jobs estimated to be
lost by 2050, climate change poses unimaginable consequences to livelihoods in
Africa.
Thus, the ministers were forthright in calling for a new
climate regime that is legally binding and which addresses the continent’s
needs after the current regime, which is at end of the Kyoto protocol in 2015.
At the, NaijaAgroNet
reports that Warsaw talks the continent will engage the global community on
negotiations relating to climate change adaptation measures which Africa, led
by the Conference of African Heads of States on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) has
consistently flagged as a priority for the continent.
NaijaAgroNet
recalls that Africa is responsible for less than three per cent of total global
emissions yet bears the brunt of climate change, hence calling for a post Kyoto
climate change agreement that is binding, rules-based; predictable, robust,
clear, enforceable and scientifically-sound.
The African Ministers also pointed out that historical
responsibility in greenhouse gas emissions as well as loss and damage should be
addressed in the new agreement. The African group will negotiate on issues such
as a programme of work on adaptation, technology transfer and development,
capacity development and climate change finance.
Director of Programme Implementation and Coordination at the
NEPAD Agency, Mrs Estherine Fotabong expressed confidence in the work of the
ministerial body particularly as the continent speaks with one voice and with a
unified position. She pledged that NEPAD is always available to assist the
AMCEN technically towards presenting a common position for the continent.
“We shall push for all developed countries to commit to new
and additional public finance over the period 2013-15, in a way that is
transparent and predictable” said Mr Emmanuel Dlamini from the Kingdom of
Swaziland who is the chair of the African Group of Negotiators.
The ministerial group indicated that the continent will
negotiate for the implementation of commitments made under previous COPs and
ensure that mechanisms established from previous decisions such as finance,
technology transfer are pursued. The group singled out commitment of new and
additional finance that must clearly demonstrate year-on-year increases for climate
change initiatives on the continent.
Isaac Oyimah with agency report/GEE
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