Heads of state from around the world took to the COP28 podium on Friday to explain how they intend to respect their commitments to fight the climate crisis. Around ten African presidents took the podium. Everyone recalled the importance of achieving concrete results and finally moving away from the “small steps” logic that has long characterized the COPs.
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“ Africa is ready to play its full role in the fight against climate change “, immediately declared the Kenyan president, William Ruto. Building on the success of the Nairobi summit, which resulted in a consensus among African heads of state, he called for tripling the share of renewable energies to move away from coal. He also recalled his country’s promise to switch entirely to renewables by 2050.
To promote the energy transition, “ we must consider the opportunity represented by carbon credits and improve CO2 storage », noted for his part the president of the Mozambique, Felipe Nyusi. A point of view shared by the Zimbabwean head of state, Emmerson Mnangagwawhich wants to further develop the carbon market.
There Namibia, for its part, proposes to develop its green hydrogen sector. The Congo by Denis Sassou Nguesso emphasizes the vital role of the Congo Basin as a global carbon regulator. And Guinea-Bissau prides itself on having classified more than 26% of its territory as a protected zone. Efforts that require more funding, Mauritania insisted.
If the implementation of a loss and damage fund was generally welcomed, Seychelles recalls that this fund must be accessible to those who need it most.