AT the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (COP28), Linus Mofor, Senior Environmental Affairs Officer at the UN Economic Commission for Africa, underscored the crucial necessity of securing $87bn annually for driving climate adaptation initiatives in Africa. Highlighting the financial disparity, Mofor emphasised that Africa presently receives only about $30bn annually, intensifying the urgency to bridge this funding gap.
Despite African nations contributing less than 4 percent to global carbon emissions, Mofor stressed their vulnerability to severe climate change impacts. He pointed out that Africa faces an annual GDP loss of 5 percent, reaching 15 percent in specific cases due to these effects.
Mofor commended COP28’s operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund, hailing it as a significant step in fulfilling environmental action pledges. He emphasised global cooperation and financial commitment, pivotal in assisting vulnerable nations to mitigate climate change effects.
Discussing Africa’s energy access crisis, Mofor revealed that the continent hosts 80 percent of the 733 million globally lacking electricity. Moreover, 40 percent lack access to clean cooking facilities. He praised the agreement of 118 countries, including African nations, to triple renewable energy capacities and double energy efficiency improvements, urging prominent private sector involvement.
To address the energy deficit, Mofor stressed the need for at least $500bn in renewable energy capabilities by 2030 and $2 trillion by 2050, highlighting increased private sector engagement.
Regarding green hydrogen production and emissions reduction initiatives in Africa, Mofor expressed optimism about COP28’s accomplishments. He reiterated the ongoing necessity for collaboration and firm commitment to tackle unique climate change challenges in African nations while advancing sustainable energy development.