African Nations Talk Climate Ahead of Major UN Meeting

By WANJOHI KABUKURU

FILE - Somalis who fled drought-stricken areas carry their belongings as they arrive at a makeshift camp for the displaced on the outskirts of Mogadishu, Somalia, on June 30, 2022. African nations opened climate talks in the Mozambican capital Maputo on Wednesday, July 27, to identify their priorities and come up with a common position ahead of the United Nations climate summit in Egypt in November, known as COP27. The talks come as the continent grapples with devastating cyclones in the south and a debilitating drought across the east and Horn of Africa. (AP Photo/Farah Abdi Warsameh, File)

MAPUTO, Mozambique (AP) — African nations opened climate talks in the Mozambican capital Maputo on Wednesday to identify their priorities and come up with a common position ahead of the United Nations climate summit in Egypt in November, known as COP27.

The talks come as the continent grapples with devastating cyclones in the south and a debilitating drought across the east and Horn of Africa. The continent of 1.2 billion people, which represents 17% of the world’s population, contributes less than 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions but suffers mightily from extreme weather events, which scientists have warned will become more frequent due to climate change.

“Africa ... is a vulnerability hotspot for climate change,” said Anna Tjärvar, a Swedish diplomat speaking at the forum, adding that adapting to climate change should be a priority for the continent.

Officials are expected to decide whether to ask developing nations for reparations for environmental damage in Africa, known in climate circles as loss and damage.

The U.N. estimates that African nations already spend between 2% and 9% of their national income on natural disasters linked to climate change.

The forum will focus on using Indigenous knowledge and land practices for conservation and adaption efforts, rather than relying on external help, said Jean-Paul Adam, the head of climate at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

Indigenous voices will play a critical role in the talks, added James Murombedzi, the head of the African Climate Policy Centre. He said that their experiences will help strengthen Africa’s standing at the international climate talks in November.

The meeting is jointly organized by the United Nations, African Union, African Development Bank and the civil society organization, the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance. The talks include policy makers and regional institutions as well as grassroots activists and representatives from private sector.