KENYAN President William Ruto made a significant proposal on Tuesday during the Africa Climate Summit, suggesting the introduction of a carbon tax as a strategic response to the climate challenges plaguing the African continent.
In his address at the heads of state session, President Ruto emphasised that implementing a carbon tax system is not only vital for mitigating climate change but also for unlocking fresh economic opportunities, particularly within the burgeoning green energy sector.
‘To unlock the resources that we need to drive this new investment and financial opportunities, especially for green energy, we believe it is time to have a conversation about the carbon tax,’ Ruto articulated to leaders gathered in Nairobi for the two-day Africa Climate Summit. The event attracted at least 16 heads of state.
President Ruto underlined that the proposed carbon tax could act as a catalyst in the pursuit of green energy solutions and climate action, emphasizing that the climate crisis is imposing a heavy economic burden on African nations. ‘African countries are bearing the brunt of the climate crisis,’ he remarked.
During his address to summit delegates, Ruto elaborated on how the carbon tax proposal represents a pragmatic approach to generate the necessary financial resources required for effective climate change combat.
He stressed that these funds would play a pivotal role in financing sustainable initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions and promoting environmental conservation in the region.
Notably, John Kerry, the climate envoy for the Biden administration, also made an announcement at the summit. He revealed that the United States would allocate an annual sum of $3 million to bolster climate resilience efforts.
Kerry further issued a challenge to the world’s leading polluting nations, urging them to follow suit and make similar commitments towards addressing the global climate crisis. President Ruto’s carbon tax proposal joins a growing chorus of calls for innovative solutions to combat climate change and drive sustainable development in Africa and beyond.