From hurricanes in the south, to floods and droughts in the east: Climate change has already left its mark on the African continent. Although Africa has the world’s smallest share of greenhouse gas emissions – only 3.8% – it pays a very high price for the crisis that has contributed so little to its creation.
Many experts agree that climate financing is critical for Africa to be able to adapt to the growing effects of climate change. More than a decade ago, rich nations pledged ۱۰۰ 5 billion (۹۱ 1 billion) a year to developed countries for the same purpose.
Now – two years beyond the set date – developed countries predict that they will not fulfill this promise by 2023. And they are under a lot of pressure to keep their word.
“We need to realize that Africa is warming faster than the rest of the world,” Richard Monning, Africa’s climate change coordinator at the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), told Deutsche Welle.
“The food security challenges and the socio-economic challenges we face will only continue and will put Africa in a very precarious position. What is needed now is an agreement that builds the resilience of communities.”
Hurricane-ravaged communities in South Africa have been left behind
Requirements continue to rise
With Africa’s share expected to increase from 17% to 40% of the world’s population by 2100, the clock is ticking on climate adaptation projects. The continent is also struggling to keep pace with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – which were adopted by all UN member states in 2015 to end poverty and increase climate resilience by 2030 – as well as National level assigned shares (NDCs).
“Africa today needs 2 2 trillion to implement NDCs,” Moning explains. “And first and foremost, the continent needs 2 1.2 trillion to implement the SDGs. That is why it is so important to support Africa. [implement] Climate resilience is happening. “
Manning cited recent natural disasters as evidence that the international community must act quickly on its commitments.
“You see mothers starving, crop failures, floods, droughts and displacement … these realities only thrive under a changing climate.
Millions of people across Africa are suffering from severe drought
Project specialization lost
But this story only illustrates the African crisis. While some funding for climate change mitigation projects has reached the continent, it is often unclear how they will be used – or how they will be accessed in the first place.
Adeline Tingam, Cameroon’s forest technician and head of a non-governmental organization, says she has repeatedly tried to access climate finance without success.
“Our vision is to rebuild the destroyed landscape and work to improve the lives of local communities around the area,” she told Deutsche Welle. “Until now, we have struggled to get funding to carry out such projects. Whenever I submit a project, they will reject it. [they said] It was of low quality. “
Tangam is not alone in his struggle. Peter Gondo from the United Nations Forum on Forests says the problem of access to climate finance is a well-known problem across the continent. He says this often comes from a lack of expertise in project proposals that meet the climate finance needs.
Most African countries need reconstruction projects, but applications often do not meet funding requirements.
“[Applicants need] To show how the projects they want to fund contribute to mitigation and adaptation to climate change. “The project is that many countries do not have enough experts to have enough skills.”
Training for a better future
To try and achieve more climate projects from the ground up, the African Forest Forum has partnered with the Global Forest Financing Facility Network (GFFFN). Together, they organize training sessions for forest partners from the public sector and NGOs on “Climate Financing and Writing Bankable Projects”.
Tangam attended a workshop in Douala, where she not only learned what kind of funding opportunities existed for her, but also how to draft a project to meet funding needs. He says he is now more confident in presenting his future proposals.
“I learned the mechanism by which I would solve the problem, that’s what [financing] Friends want. “
Ultimately, the initiative aims to ensure that Africa has easy access to current and future global climate financing. Sector participants say that with both adequate funding and specialization, Africa must move towards a future with low emissions and a climate resistant one.
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