Albertina Nakale

African countries, including host Egypt and Namibia, will support the move to a green climate-resilient economy but put Africa’s priorities front and centre at the 27th session of the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference UNFCCC.

Egypt will host the COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh from 6 to 18 November 2022. Africa looks to build on previous successes and pave the way to effectively tackle the global challenge of climate change. 

Egyptian ambassador to Namibia Wael Lotfy Batea yesterday said Egypt is hosting the United Nations event on behalf of the continent.

“We are proud to be hosting COP27 on behalf of Africa. We should look at our African interests. Climate change is a collective effort. African nations contribute only a little to carbon emissions than industrialised nations. We need science and innovation to solve the African challenges. Egypt and Namibia face similar challenges. We are dry countries,” he noted.

Therefore, he stressed, during the Egyptian presidency to COP27 that African priorities would be highly considered. Although African countries contribute little to climate change, they continue to disproportionately face the brunt of it.   It is generally believed Africa’s contribution to all carbon is about 3%. 

African ministers who met in Cairo last month called for a sharp expansion of climate financing for the continent while pushing back against an abrupt move away from fossil fuels.

COP27 comes as the continent reels from several extreme weather events, such as drought and destructive floods, thus increasing the threat of food insecurity.

The development of green hydrogen has recently become one of the most important areas to reduce climate change impacts with the aim of clean energy to sustain the economy of the future.

Batea emphasised green hydrogen production is one of the priorities of Egypt and Namibia – and the two countries have the vision to become a regional hub for this clean energy.

Taking advantage of the COP27 presidency, Cairo has redoubled its efforts to develop the industry. 

The ambassador said Egypt’s plan to become a regional hub for the production of green hydrogen is part of a broader strategy to develop sources of green energy that has been promoted since the agreement of decarbonisation, established in 2015 at COP21 in Paris. 

Carbon emissions from Africa are estimated at 2-3% of the total global carbon emissions.

However, Batea expressed: “When we look at the climate change impacts on Egypt and Namibia, we can notice the very dangerous repercussions on our people’s life.”

Due to these carbon emissions, Batea said Egypt and Namibia are highly vulnerable to water scarcity, droughts, rising sea levels and other adverse impacts of climate change.

“Without adaptation, agriculture, tourism and coastal communities will be at particular risk. For example, during the drought in Namibia of the period 2016-2020, crop production declined, animals died and food production deteriorated, affecting livestock production, rural livelihoods and income,” he mentioned. 

Namibia also stated its position to ensure negotiators at the COP27, and particularly the developed countries fulfil the promise that a minimum of US$100 billion (approximately N$1.7 trillion) in climate finance be achieved by 2024. 

Environment and tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta recently stressed his emphasis at the conference will be on a strong climate regime, based on the polluter pay principle.

“As you may recall, COP26 decided on a new collective quantified financial goal from a minimum of US$100 billion per annum to cater to the needs and adaption priorities for developing countries, especially vulnerable nations, such as Namibia. Our call is for developed countries to fulfil this promise before 2025. Namibia strongly believes that implementation shall be central as we continue to advance climate action both at national and international levels,” Shifeta stated. 

After COP26 in Glasgow last year, Shifeta called on negotiators at the COP26 and particularly the developed countries to provide clarity on how they will ensure a minimum of US$100 billion in climate finance is achieved by 2024.

Namibia supports a scaled-up financial goal that is based on the needs of developing countries to support the implementation of their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). 

Batea said Egypt is looking forward to welcoming a high-level Namibian delegation to COP27. 

– anakale@nepc.com.na