WWF Africa Urges Climate Finance Action at COP29 Summit
The continent requires $2.8 trillion by 2030, approximately $53 billion annually, to address these mounting challenges.
NAIROBI, Kenya - The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Africa has called for urgent climate finance and nature-based solutions as world leaders gather for the UNFCCC COP29 in Baku, emphasizing Africa's critical need for financial support to address escalating climate challenges, writes Winston Mwale.
Despite contributing only 4% of global emissions, Africa faces severe climate impacts, including droughts, food insecurity, and deadly floods.
The continent requires $2.8 trillion by 2030, approximately $53 billion annually, to address these mounting challenges.
"African countries urgently need accessible funds to build resilience against escalating climate impacts," said Durrel Halleson, Policy and Partnerships Manager at WWF Africa.
"Only a fraction of global adaptation finance currently reaches the continent."
The Congo Basin, known as the "lungs of Africa" and the world's second-largest rainforest, plays a crucial role in climate stability by absorbing 600 million metric tonnes of CO₂ annually – equivalent to a third of U.S. transportation emissions.
James Reeler, Senior Manager for Climate Action at WWF South Africa, highlighted Africa's unique position: "With warming rates 1.5 times the global average and ecosystems like the Congo Basin that stabilize our climate, Africa's unique challenges call for a fair and just transition to a low-carbon future."
WWF Africa is advocating for the establishment of a dedicated Climate-Nature Work Programme within the UNFCCC framework to align climate and biodiversity action.
The organization emphasized that the recently established Loss and Damage Fund must become fully operational to support Africa's vulnerable communities.
The organization has also called on world leaders to honor and expand the long-promised $100 billion climate finance goal to support Africa's resilience and adaptation efforts, ensuring funds reach communities on the frontlines of climate disasters.
A comprehensive list of expected outcomes from the Baku conference, including specific financial commitments and policy recommendations, is available in WWF Africa's COP29 Expectations Paper which you can download below.
