Africa-Press – Botswana. African delegates to Cop28 have highlighted the impact climate change is having on their part of the world – even though the continent produces just four per cent of the world’s carbon emissions.
Government, private sector and non-governmental organisation representatives are hoping the conference results in strong commitments to cutting fossil fuel use.
They also say that African nations need financial assistance to transition their economies away from fossil fuels and to deal with the damage caused by climate change.
Kabelo Mompati Tsiang, of Botswana’s Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, said it is “very crucial” that commitments to significant reductions in carbon emissions are achieved at Cop28.
“What we want is for parties to come to the table with tangible commitments. We expect parties to bring to the plate tangible means of reducing their carbon footprints,” he said.
John Chipeta, senior manager for advocacy, communication, campaigns and media for Save the Children in Malawi
“Climate change is disrupting the rainy season. There are more and more heatwaves. It’s becoming drier. All of this points to countries and states reducing their carbon footprint. Otherwise we’ll lose what we have in terms of our natural environment.”
Lindiwe Modise, founder and managing director of Green Loop Environmental Consultants in Gaborone, the capital of Botswana, said events this year highlight the impact of climate change.
“Once again, this year the president has declared drought,” she said. “It’s going to be one of our worst droughts. Are we resilient? If it hits hard, can we survive? The water levels in the dams are already starting to drop.
“We aren’t even emitting one per cent of the pollution around the world, but we feel the impact more than most countries. We need people to come to countries like ours to understand what’s going on.”
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