Africa NSAs also raised issue raised with the lack of commitments to address the primary driver of global warming: fossil fuels. PHOTO/UN.
By PATRICK MAYOYO
As the 30th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP30) came to an end in Belém, Brazil, African Non-State Actors (NSAs) have offered a measured response to the event’s outcomes.
While acknowledging some hard-won achievements, they warned that the decisions adopted still fall short of delivering true climate justice for Africa, the continent least responsible for the climate crisis yet suffering its most severe consequences.
One of the key achievements highlighted was the decision to mobilise USD 1.3 trillion annually in climate finance by 2035, with developed countries taking the lead. This commitment marks the first time that Parties have agreed to a quantified pathway for scaling up climate finance.
For Africa, where climate-related losses already cost between five percent and 15 percent of GDP growth each year, this pledge is seen as a positive development.
However, African civil society leaders cautioned that the path from commitment to delivery remains fraught with challenges. They called for clear burden-sharing arrangements, predictable public finance, and stronger accountability mechanisms to ensure that the resources pledged actually reach those countries most in need.
“We welcome the commitment to mobilise USD 1.3 trillion annually, but the real test will be in the implementation,” said Dr. Mithika Mwenda, Executive Director of the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA). “Africa cannot afford more empty promises. We need concrete actions and resources that directly address the most urgent climate impacts.”
The decision to double adaptation finance by 2025 and triple it by 2035 was seen as a positive shift toward addressing Africa’s pressing need for adaptation. For years, adaptation has received less than one-third of global climate finance, despite the continent’s vulnerability to droughts, floods, storms, and rising temperatures.
However, African NSAs pointed out that even with these pledges, there are still concerns about how the funds will be allocated and whether they will be effectively utilised.
They emphasised the importance of transparent tracking, country-driven programming, and a shift away from finance that is overly reliant on grants, which they believe could undermine the sustainability of adaptation efforts.
“Adaptation is not charity; it is a lifeline,” stated Dr. Mwenda. “Without adequate finance, transparent systems, and local ownership, these commitments risk being no more than a paper victory.”
African civil society groups also celebrated the confirmation of the operationalisation and replenishment cycles for the Loss and Damage Fund, a critical victory for the most vulnerable nations. This fund, which aims to provide financial support for countries already experiencing irreversible climate losses, was hailed as a step forward in securing compensation for frontline communities.
Dr. Mithika Mwenda of PACJA called for more funding for adaptation initiatives in Africa saying adaptation was not charity; it was a lifeline. PHOTO/UN.
However, PACJA remains cautious about celebrating this achievement too early. Dr. Mwenda noted that while the fund’s creation is significant, its real value will depend on its scale, accessibility, and the political will to ensure its effective functioning.
“A functional fund is not the same as a funded fund,” warned Dr. Mwenda. “The scale of resources and the speed at which they reach affected communities will determine whether this initiative can deliver meaningful support.”
While COP30 saw the launch of several new initiatives, including the Global Implementation Accelerator and the Belém Mission to 1.5°C, African NSAs expressed concern that these efforts must translate into real resources, technology partnerships, and strengthened implementation capacity on the ground. They cautioned that these new plans should not become mere slogans without tangible outcomes.
Another key issue raised was the lack of commitments to address the primary driver of global warming: fossil fuels. Despite growing recognition of the need for urgent action on climate change, African civil society leaders pointed out that fossil fuel consumption continues to be a blind spot in global climate negotiations.
“In a year characterised by intense climate denial, it is disappointing that the most significant contributor to global warming, fossil fuels, continues to escape meaningful commitments,” the African NSAs said.
In a year marked by escalating threats to environmental defenders, journalists, and civic space, African NSAs also welcomed the decision to safeguard information integrity and combat climate disinformation. However, they called for additional measures to ensure the protection of environmental defenders and other civil society actors working on the frontlines of climate justice.
Reflecting on the outcomes of COP30, Dr. Mwenda emphasised that while progress was made, the conference ultimately failed to secure climate justice for Africa. “COP30 delivered progress, but not justice. Africa did not cause this crisis. The continent must not continue to pay twice – first through climate impacts and then through global responses that remain underfunded or unfair.”
Looking ahead to future COPs, African Non-State Actors are committed to intensifying their advocacy, calling for a global finance system that delivers at scale, a climate response that prioritises adaptation, and a just transition that respects Africa’s development needs and aspirations.
“We will continue pushing for a global response that is equitable, just, and prioritises the needs of the most vulnerable,” Dr. Mwenda concluded. “COP31 and COP32 must deliver the finance and action that African communities desperately need to tackle this crisis.”
