Carlos Lopes cautions African countries to be vigilant at Paris climate negotiations

Abstract

The Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa, Mr. Carlos Lopes, warned that the outcome of the current Paris COP negotiation cpould potentially be problematic for Africa if it is not based on the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capacities, and the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) do not fully recognize historical emissions. He said that this showed Africa’s readiness and said that now that negotiations have entered their political phase, Africa must do everything to ensure that the continent is not shortchanged in the way its interests are reflected in the final agreement. In this context, the planned contributions determined at the national level may be Africa’s best outcome from these negotiations, he said. On the question of financing, Tosi Mpanu Mpanu, said that Africa has tabled several funding proposals and wants to ensure that this issue remains on the table. But he also called for ambitious amounts, with substantial sums being reserved for adaptation, because the already the costs of climate change to Africa are high.