By Tendai Guvamombe
Most African countries have updated their Nationally Determined Contributions on Climate Change(NDCs) and are now moving towards implementation of climate targets in the context of “The Just Transition” mode.
The ongoing Africa Green and Energy Expo taking place in Harare Zimbabwe became a platform to unpack the relationship between the debt and climate crisis
The expo is running under the Theme: JUST TRANSITION; Remodeling Systems.
Archieford Chemhere Climate Justice Advocacy Specialist in a presentation said Africa should get climate change finances in the form of grants in order to allow a smooth transition.
“We are unapologetic when we are saying some of these issues because as Africa we are now bearing the impacts of Climate Change for the causes we never contributed.”
“All we are saying is that as we go to COP28 we need to raise the issue that climate financing comes in the form of grants not as debt. The Just Transition needs climate financing in the form of grants,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sifiso Dladla from Action Aid South Africa urged young people in the Climate Change space to be proactive in addressing climate issues that impacts on their future.
“Youths should take a leading role in raising these issues because they are the future of tomorrow. If young people takes less aggressive actions it simply means that they are leaving for a sinking future.”
Researches have also revealed that four(4) in every five(5) countries across the globe are considered to be fragile interms of economy and majority are found in the Global South.
“Just Transition” is a popular term in the Climate Change Circles and it involves maximizing the social and economic opportunities of climate action , while minimizing and carefully managing challenges through green ways.
