Centering Human Rights: Africa’s Leaders Urged to Take Ambitious Action at Key Climate Summit

A Call for Ambitious and Long-Lasting Climate Action in Africa

Introduction

Amnesty International, a leading global human rights organization, has called on African leaders convening in Nairobi for the African Climate week and inaugural Climate Summit to pursue ambitious and long-lasting climate action. In the face of the disastrous effects of climate change, it is crucial for African leaders to safeguard the human rights of individuals and communities that are already suffering. This report explores the key areas where African leaders must take action to address the climate crisis and protect vulnerable populations.

Funding for Climate Adaptation

The impact of climate change in Africa is evident through extreme weather events and slow onset crises such as drought. These phenomena have caused food insecurity, displacement, and conflicts among pastoralist communities. To address these challenges, African leaders must push for adequate funding for climate change adaptation. The World Food Programme estimates that 22 million people in the Horn of Africa are currently food insecure, with over 5 million children being malnourished. This crisis disproportionately affects women and children.

Unjust Burden

Amnesty International highlights the staggering injustice that those least responsible for the climate crisis are the ones bearing the heaviest burden. It is imperative for African leaders to advocate for wealthy states to contribute substantially to climate finance, meeting the agreed goal of raising at least $100 billion annually. Moreover, wealthy countries should provide debt relief to heavily indebted African countries, enabling them to allocate resources for climate change adaptation.

Effective Remedies for Loss and Damage

The establishment of a Loss and Damage Fund during last year’s UN Climate Change Conference was a positive step towards assisting poorer nations in dealing with the consequences of climate change. However, the fund is yet to be fully operationalized. Amnesty International calls on African leaders and climate negotiators to prioritize the effective implementation of the Loss and Damage Fund. Clear and timebound implementation guidelines consistent with human rights principles are essential to ensure that affected communities receive appropriate financial assistance.

A Just Energy Transition

A just energy transition has the potential to create jobs, reduce pollution, and deliver clean energy to millions of people living without electricity in Africa. However, it is crucial for African leaders to ensure that this transition is carried out with respect for the human rights of impacted workers and frontline communities. Adequate social protection, investment in re-employment skills and training, and public participation should be guaranteed. Additionally, laws and programs governing the energy transition should protect the rights of frontline communities during the extraction of minerals for green energy. Amnesty International cites the example of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where communities have been evicted for cobalt and copper extraction, leading to human rights abuses and environmental pollution.

DRC’s Responsibility

Amnesty International highlights the need for the DRC government to end these human rights abuses and lead the way in a global energy transition that meets international human rights standards. It is essential not to sacrifice the rights and interests of people in the DRC in pursuit of renewable energy components such as copper and cobalt.

Addressing Climate-Induced Migration

The climate crisis is projected to create 85.7 million climate migrants in sub-Saharan Africa by 2050, according to the World Bank. African leaders must urgently develop legal protection frameworks for internally displaced persons and cross-border climate migrants. Moreover, it is crucial to recognize the role of climate change in migration and align policies with the Global Compact for Migration and international human rights obligations. Amnesty International also emphasizes the need to address how climate change exacerbates conflicts across Africa and suggests collaborative response strategies in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and international human rights law.

Collaboration and Implementation

Amnesty International calls for collaboration among African governments, regional blocks, and the African Union to fully implement resolutions adopted at previous UN climate conferences. Additionally, increasing budgets for climate adaptation is crucial to effectively tackle threats to health, water, and food security.

Conclusion

African leaders have a critical responsibility to pursue ambitious and long-lasting climate action. By prioritizing funding for climate adaptation, supporting effective remedies for loss and damage, facilitating a just energy transition, and addressing climate-induced migration, African leaders can protect the most vulnerable communities and safeguard human rights. It is essential for them to work collaboratively, both within the continent and globally, to tackle the climate emergency and ensure a more equitable and sustainable future for all.

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