From Nairobi to Dubai: A Series on Africa’s Role and Expectations at COP 28

COP 28 is the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which is the main international treaty on climate change. COP 28 will convene from 30 November to 12 December 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). It will bring together representatives from nearly 200 countries, as well as observers from various organizations, to review the implementation of the UNFCCC and its related agreements, such as the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement.

COP 28 is a crucial moment for global climate action, as it will mark the first Global Stocktake (GST), which is a comprehensive assessment of the collective progress towards achieving the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement, such as limiting global warming to well below 2°C, preferably to 1.5°C, above pre-industrial levels. COP 28 will also provide an opportunity for countries to update or enhance their nationally determined contributions (NDCs), which are their voluntary commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change impacts.

Why does COP 28 matter for Africa?

COP 28 matters for Africa because Africa is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change, but also one of the most resilient and ambitious. Africa has contributed the least to global carbon emissions, accounting for only about 4% of the total, but it bears the brunt of climate change impacts, such as droughts, floods, heat waves, desertification, diseases, and conflicts. Climate change threatens to undermine Africa’s development gains and aspirations, as well as its human rights and dignity.

However, Africa is not a passive victim of climate change. It is also a proactive agent of climate action. Africa has abundant natural resources, such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal energy, that can enable a low-carbon and green development path. Africa has also demonstrated strong political will and leadership on climate issues, such as through the adoption of the Nairobi declaration at the Africa Climate Summit at the recently concluded Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, which calls for urgent action by developed countries to reduce emissions and provide adequate finance, technology transfer, and capacity building to support Africa’s climate response.

Therefore, COP 28 is an important platform for Africa to voice its concerns and demands, as well as showcase its achievements and potentials, on climate action. Africa expects COP 28 to deliver on its main objectives and themes, such as fast-tracking the energy transition, transforming climate finance, and putting nature and people at the heart of climate action. Africa also expects COP 28 to uphold the principles of equity, justice, and solidarity that underpin the UNFCCC and its related agreements.

Stay tuned for more updates from this series where we will look at Africa's role and expectations as we count down to COP 28.