By Faridat Salifu
About 50 African parliamentarians including Nigerian Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, has appealed to the G7 nations for increased financial support to enable the continent tackle impacts of climate change.
The MPs emphasized the urgent need for resources to combat climate change and unlock Africa’s renewable energy potential.
Their demands were articulated in the recent letter addressed to G7 leaders, delivered via Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during the 2024 G7 Summit in Fasano, Italy.
The letter highlighted Africa’s pivotal role in achieving the Paris Agreement’s 1.5℃ target, citing the continent’s vast renewable energy resources.
Despite Africa’s strategic importance, the MPs pointed out the continent’s severe lack of financial and technological resources necessary to harness this potential.
They noted the stark disparity in climate finance, with Africa receiving a mere 0.8% of the $495 billion invested globally in renewable energy between 2000 and 2020.
The MPs described this as unjust, considering the climate crisis was largely driven by industrialized nations.
Related Posts
Senator Abaribe stressed the moral responsibility of developed countries to address these inequities, given their historical contributions to climate change.
He said: “It is not only a moral responsibility of the G7 to lend its voice to a restructuring of the international financial architecture… it is indeed the just thing to do.,”
The Nigerian Senator criticized the allocation of billions for military conflicts while neglecting essential climate action.
Egyptian MP Sahar Al Bazar echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that G7 support is crucial for sustainable development, economic stability, and addressing Africa’s energy challenges.
The MPs’ letter outlined three key demands: debt forgiveness for African nations, reform of the financial systems burdening these countries, and fulfilment of G7 climate finance commitments.
They called on the G7 to lead the global energy transition by implementing stringent climate plans and unlocking funds for developing nations. Investing in Africa’s energy potential, they argued, is in the G7’s interest.
In addition, the MPs reaffirmed their dedication to the energy transition by pledging to include provisions for clean energy financing in their national budgets.
The 50th G7 meeting concluded with a commitment to the “Energy for Growth in Africa” initiative, signalling a potential shift towards greater support for the continent’s renewable energy ambitions.
