Africa’s Stance on Climate Change Post-UN COP 28

The discourse surrounding climate change has been a focal point on a global level as of late, and the recent appropriation of approximately $70 billion by the World Bank Group to confront this issue has thrust the urgency of addressing climate change into the spotlight. The recent UN climate change conference in the United Arab Emirates aimed to assess progress towards achieving the objectives outlined in the Paris Agreement, with Nigeria and other African nations actively participating.

The term ‘COP’ denotes the ‘Conference of the Parties’, which is convened subsequent to the ratification of international treaties to determine their implementation. Since 1992, annual COP gatherings have been convened to deliberate on strategies for combating detrimental human influences on the climate. The participants at COP meetings encompass not only politicians and diplomats, but also lobbyists from various industries, environmental advocates, and indigenous peoples advocating for the safeguarding of their territories.

The viewpoint articulated in this article is that there exists a perception, primarily in the Western world, that Africa’s purported lack of commitment to global climate action is responsible for the challenges experienced by the continent. Some Africans are sceptical of the discourse on climate change and believe it to be a tactic by the West to exploit their resources and perpetuate poverty.

For example, in a recent focused group discussion in Delta State, participants perceived the climate change dialogue as disingenuous on the part of the Western world. They highlighted instances where the West prioritised coal over clean energy, instilling doubt regarding the credibility of their climate change agenda.

These sentiments give rise to a critical query: Should African leaders disregard the imperative to address climate change, when it has been established that climate variations are linked to violent conflicts in Africa, and are not unrelated to the conflicts in the North-Eastern region of Nigeria?

This article advocates for greater reform by African leaders to delve into the crux of the climate change predicament, and posits that ceasing gas flaring in the Niger Delta should be a priority. This constitutes an appeal for action that transcends the deliberations at UN COP 28, to initiate efforts aimed at preserving Africa’s environment and its populace.

The world must delve deeper into comprehending the challenges experienced by Africa and strive towards conserving its environment. It is high time for Africans to transcend the rhetoric of climate change and take tangible, purposeful measures to ensure sustainable environmental policies and practices.

In conclusion, this article underscores the necessity for Africa to confront the climate challenges within its borders, and posits the cessation of gas flaring in the Niger Delta as an initial step. It encourages African leaders to take substantive action in addressing climate issues, surpassing the discussions at UN COP 28.