In a resounding call for fairness and transparency, the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) held a news conference on Thursday, November 30, 2023, during the commencement of COP28 in Dubai. The civil society-led conference aimed to address concerns about the integrity of climate change negotiations, advocating for comprehensive and just solutions to this global challenge.
Dr. Mithika Mwenda, CEO of PACJA, highlighted the critical need for inclusivity, openness, and justice in the ongoing talks. He stressed the importance of elevating the voices of vulnerable communities and urged industrialized nations to demonstrate genuine commitment to addressing climate concerns.
Dr. Augustine Njamnshi, also from PACJA and CEO of Africa Coalition for Sustainable Energy and Access (ACSEA), emphasized the need for leadership that prioritizes the interests of vulnerable communities, women, youths, and indigenous populations. The call was for leaders to translate promises into concrete actions.
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To ensure that decisions made during COP28 align with international commitments to combat climate change, African Civil Society representatives emphasized the principles of fairness, openness, and impartiality, urging all parties to adhere to these principles.
At a pre-COP28 side event, civil society representatives underscored the crucial need for increased and sustainable production of minerals essential for decarbonization in Africa. Dr. Linus Mofor, Senior Environmental Affairs Officer at the African Climate Policy Centre (ACPC), highlighted the continent’s substantial mineral reserves, including cobalt, copper, graphite, platinum metals, and lithium. These resources hold the potential to create regional value chains and support Africa’s green economy.
Mofor addressed the challenge of a high percentage of Africa’s exports being unprocessed commodities, proposing policy solutions that focus on industrialization and value addition in the mining and resource sectors.
The discussions at COP28 emphasized the urgent need to uphold the global commitment to addressing climate change with a focus on fair, sustainable solutions, and regional economic development. PACJA’s advocacy serves as a clarion call for collective action in the pursuit of an equitable and sustainable response to the climate crisis.
