Africa tells COP31 that a just transition must be an African transition
As negotiators in Antalya make a push to turn the just transition mechanism agreed in Belém from words into design, the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) convened its flagship COP31 event at the Africa Pavilion centered on the question: who pays for Africa’s transition, and who decides? The post Africa tells COP31 that a just transition must be an African transition appeared first on Ghana…
Negotiators in Antalya are attempting to transform the just transition mechanism from a concept into a practical tool at the COP31 event hosted at the Africa Pavilion. The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) hosted this event, focusing on the critical questions of who finances Africa's transition and who decides. African countries contribute less than 4% of global emissions but face some of the heaviest climate costs.
Sub-Saharan Africa is home to 86% of the world's people without electricity, a stark example of the continent's climate vulnerability. While Africa needs an estimated $277 billion annually to implement its climate plans, only about 11% of that amount is currently received. The speakers emphasized that the terms of finance are as crucial as the volume of the funds.
With 42% of Africa's external debt owed to private creditors, borrowing to adapt to a crisis the continent did not cause exacerbates the injustice. The ECA emphasized that finance must be reliable, sufficient, and accessible, and it should not exacerbate debt burdens. Fatima Denton, a visiting professor at the London School of Economics, highlighted the double penalty Africa faces: it bears the costs of climate change and must now borrow to recover.
Wanjira Mathai, the managing director for Africa and global partnerships at the World Resources Institute, warned against a "just transition" that is merely a vague concept without clear definitions for the most vulnerable. She called for a shift of decision-making and financial power to the local level, as decisions made far from communities often result in higher costs and misguided approaches.
Jean-Paul Adam stressed that Africa needs transformation, not just transition, as the continent's economic model is based on raw materials that are used elsewhere. Equity requires value addition in local communities, as outlined in Agenda 2063. The panel discussed various successful examples, including debt-for-climate swaps in Seychelles, commune-level financial tracking in Burkina Faso, and parish-level climate committees in Uganda.
The LIFE-AR initiative, a project led by the least developed countries, aims to mobilize around $800 million by 2030, with 70% of the funds reaching the local level. South Africa's Just Energy Transition Partnership provided insights into tracking every rand of grant, concessional, and commercial finance. Masego Madzwamuse of the Quadrature Climate Foundation stressed that philanthropy can help close the equity gap only if it funds those most affected through African-led institutions close to communities.
Accountability must run in both directions, with countries clearly informed about the available funding and expected outcomes, and being held accountable for their results. The ECA will convene a post-COP31 review in mid-December and bring together African finance, economic planning, and environment ministers with global climate funds and development banks in March to address the gaps in the just transition agenda before COP32.
Ajust transition designed in Africa, decided locally, and held accountable by those who experience its costs can be considered just.
Written by urgent.news from Ghana Business News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
