Africa ministers demand $1.3trn annually to tackle climate change

African Ministers at COP29 have calls for more climate finance for countries vulnerable to climate change.

Speaking during a press briefing at the ongoing COP29, they expressed concern over the devastating effects of climate change in the region.

According to the Minister from Sierra Leon, Jiwoh Abdulai “It’s clear who is responsible for this problem. Science is pretty clear on how much it is going to cost. We are asking for $1.3 trillion annually so we will stop bleeding dry because of climate change. We are talking about lives here.

Minister of Green Economy and Environment (Zambia) Mike Elton Mposha said 50 percent projected farm harvest have been ruined because of climate change.

The Gambian Minister said: “These developed economies have been built on the backs of polluting the climate… clear market failure to provide funding for adaptation of Gambia: “I am speaking like a dying man”

Mohammed Saidykhan, Head of Building Power Department, Climate Action Network International who anchored the session said adaptation finance has been totally ignored or not gained level of attention needed.

He noted that only 6.1 billion dollars was pledged out of the target 380 billion dollars for 2024.

For 2023 target, he said the adaptation finance agreed during negotiations was not reached.

“Our countries in Africa struggle to adopt to climate finance,” he said.

Also speaking, Nigerian Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal said the Lake Chad crisis is one of the major causes of insecurity in the North East region.