-Nairobi Declaration, Mapping a Green Growth Agenda, Common Voice
By Davis Buyondo
Nairobi-Kenya
The three-day event African Climate Summit has officially kicked off in Nairobi, Kenya, signifying a crucial moment not only for Africa but for the entire planet. Nairobi becomes the epicentre of hope, determination, and unity for the African nations for a common cause.
Africa, though contributing minimally to the global carbon footprint, faces the harshest brunt of climate change. Now, the leaders gather to not only discuss the present challenges but to shape the future, igniting a promise for a greener, sustainable world for all.
This event aims to spotlight Africa’s potential to lead the world in clean energy solutions. It comes at a time when Africa, home to over a billion people, is bearing the brunt of climate change’s harsh impacts, affecting more than 17 million people through storms, droughts, wildfires, floods, and landslides.
Over 7 million Africans have been displaced by natural disasters, and a staggering 145 million people on the continent lack access to sufficient food. Despite Africa’s limited contribution to the carbon footprint (only 4% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuels and industry globally), it’s disproportionately impacted by climate change.
One of Africa’s significant challenges in responding to climate change is its lack of resources for weather data collection, hindering weather forecasting and everyday decision-making, such as agricultural planning and disaster preparedness.
In his remarks, His Excellency Dr. William Samoei Ruto, the President of the Republic of Kenya said the summit, aimed at addressing pressing climate challenges, opened its doors with a warm welcome from Nairobi: Africa’s Green City in the Sun
He introduced Nairobi as a unique city with a national wildlife park at one end and a dense forest canopy at the other. Nairobi is also home to the global headquarters of the United Nations Environment Programme, solidifying its reputation as Africa’s Green City in the Sun.
According to Ruto, the summit was not a typical gathering to discuss climate change. It aimed to unite, rather than divide, by fostering global partnerships and showcasing Africa’s potential for inclusive growth, prosperity, and environmental stewardship.
The President further highlighted the urgency of addressing climate change, especially in the context of justice. While Africa’s carbon footprint is relatively small, he explained, its vulnerability to climate impacts is disproportionately high. The continent’s economic reliance on climate-sensitive sectors, such as agriculture and energy, calls for comprehensive adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Africa’s potential for green growth is undeniable, driven by a young and skilled workforce, abundant renewable energy resources, and vast natural assets. He further urged all the leaders, CSOs and stakeholders to explore how Africa could transition to a low-carbon economy, opening doors to climate finance, trade, innovation, resilience, and green job opportunities.
Food Security and Renewable Energy
Regarding food security and renewable energy, Ruto stressed the need for restorative agriculture practices, combining indigenous knowledge with modern techniques to improve agricultural productivity sustainably.
Additionally, Africa’s renewable energy potential can propel the continent into an era of energy self-sufficiency, reducing carbon emissions and stimulating economic growth.
Moreover, Africa’s vast reserves of minerals and metals essential for the global energy transition present a golden opportunity. Ruto believes there is a potential for Africa to become a global hub in the green industrial supply chain, from refining minerals to producing electric vehicles. This transformation could unlock substantial economic value and create millions of jobs.
Africa’s Role in Global Decarbonization
The President further pointed out that trillions of dollars are seeking green investment opportunities, and Africa holds the key to accelerating global decarbonisation. By generating jobs and pursuing climate-smart growth, the continent can play a pivotal role in shaping a balanced and stable global economy.
However, Ruto emphasised the need for collective will and ingenuity to overcome challenges. He urged attendees to collaborate, engage in open dialogue, and envision a climate-positive future.
The summit’s objective is to catalyze climate action through a Nairobi Declaration on Green Growth and Climate Finance, paving the way for a resilient, prosperous, and climate-proof Africa, according to Ruto.
Environment minister
Honourable Soipan Tuya CBS, the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry, told the attendees that the event’s focus is reshaping the world’s perception of Africa’s role in the global battle against climate change.
The minister emphasised the overarching goal of this summit which is to chart a path of Green Growth for the African continent. This pathway, according to Tuya, aims to position Africa as a global leader in ecologically responsible industrialization, supported by accessible, adequate, and affordable financing.
“The summit provides an unprecedented opportunity for Africa to redefine itself, leveraging its abundant human and natural resources to address the climate crisis,” she stated, noting that the summit’s objective is to explore ways to transition Africa towards a low-carbon economy, fostering climate finance, trade, investment, innovation, resilience, and green job creation.
The climate change discourse has evolved beyond environmental and developmental concerns; it now embraces the concept of climate justice. African nations grapple with high debt levels while facing the impacts of climate change on vital sectors like agriculture, tourism, fisheries, energy (hydropower), and forestry. Moreover, the nexus between climate change and migration underscores the need for climate-proof infrastructure.
Tuya stressed that if adequate response measures are not developed, the climate change crisis could have devastating consequences. She urged summit participants to lead the world in finding solutions for climate change by listening to diverse voices, including youth, indigenous communities, and civil society.
Africa’s diversity, both politically and economically, is well-recognised, but its leaders are aligning on climate priorities, including debt relief, low-carbon development, and reforming the global financial system.
This united approach, according to the leaders, aims to build momentum for crucial international meetings leading up to COP28, including G20 negotiations in India, the UN General Assembly, and the World Bank and International Monetary Fund annual meeting in Marrakesh.
Still, the draft declaration of the conference underscores Africa’s vast renewable energy potential, its youthful workforce, and its abundant natural resources, including essential materials like cobalt, manganese, and platinum for batteries and hydrogen fuel cells.
Civil Society
Mohamed Adow, the Director of Power Shift Africa, views the summit as an opportunity for Africa to transition from resource extraction to green energy leadership. The draft declaration also includes a commitment to triple Africa’s renewable energy capacity from 20 percent in 2019 to 60 percent by 2030, with Kenya leading the way by aiming for 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030.
However, Africa faces substantial challenges due to its vulnerability to climate impacts and the lack of electricity access for hundreds of millions. Africa has the world’s best solar energy resources but still has a similar installed capacity to Belgium, highlighting the need for significant investments.
Speaking at the inauguration, Charra Tesfaye Terfassa of the think tank E3G, said the shift in perspective on African development but urged caution, considering Africa’s limited political influence and financial strength. Recent events, like military takeovers and coups in Gabon and Niger, underscore the region’s instability.
A global transition to clean energy in developing nations is essential to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement according to Terfassa. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that annual energy investments must increase to $2 trillion within a decade, but currently, only about three percent of global energy investments are directed towards Africa.
Moreover, wealthy nations have yet to fulfil their commitment to provide $100 billion annually in climate finance to support poorer nations by 2020, eroding trust in major polluters’ commitment to helping vulnerable countries least responsible for climate change.
In this challenging context, African countries grapple with a mounting debt crisis, with eight of the nine countries in debt distress, according to the World Bank, being located in Africa.
However, as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently remarked, “The era of global warming has ended. The era of global boiling has arrived.” This underlines the urgency of addressing climate issues, making it fitting that this summit is held here in Africa to tackle challenges that affect all of humanity.
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