Author: Ian Henderson

Interview with Kenya’s special climate envoy, Ali Mohamed, on the outcomes of the Africa Climate Summit

We had the pleasure of speaking with the Special Climate Envoy for Kenya, Ali Mohamed, in the days that followed the Africa Climate Summit to discuss his views on its outcomes and what they might mean for Africa’s positioning in the climate negotiations. In the interview that follows we discuss the framing of African action, climate finance, renewable energy, carbon taxes and loss and damage.
  • COP28

African Negotiators Push Back on Key Elements of the Global Stocktake Report

The recent synthesis report for the Global Stocktake hints at some consensus around fossil fuel phaseouts. But African negotiators are displeased with its approach to equity and differentiation, and how it treats finance and technology transfer.
  • COP28

African Countries call for Finance Reform at the UNGA, but Lack of GCF Pledges is Worrying

African countries made impassioned and detailed statements on how the global finance architecture should change at this year’s UN General Assembly. The SDG Summit also highlighted key climate finance reforms needed. However, action was lacking at the Climate Ambition Summit, where GCF pledges were underwhelming.
  • Climate Finance, COP28

Looking towards the IMF and World Bank meetings in Marrakech

Looking towards the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings on 9 October in Marrakech, expectations are that climate related reforms should go beyond much needed capital increases and the re-channeling of SDRs. We discuss a recent report by the African Climate Foundation of what these reforms should entail.
  • Climate Finance

Making the Global Financial System Work for Africa

Building a financing ecosystem that works for Africa requires a systemic transformation of existing approaches to debt, lending practices, the global development finance system, tax and trade. These measures should address the continent’s debt overhang, create a fairer financial ecosystem, and unlock financial flows while preserving fiscal sovereignty.
  • Climate Finance, COP28

Urgent Call for Adaptation Investment Plans to Catalyse Adaptation Finance

Adaptation investment planning spur investments in prioritised projects and support the the implementation of adaptation and resilience measures in Africa. In this analysis, Sarah Wewege and Chipo Rusere discuss the advantages of this approach and how it can present a compelling case for investment.
  • Climate Finance

Malawi orders review of Carbon Credit projects as Kenya introduces new Carbon Markets Bill

Malawi and Kenya are both seeking to firm up their domestic policy on carbon markets, with a focus on ensuring more benefits for communities. Echoing Zimbabwe, Malawi has stated an intention to revisit existing contracts, while Kenya is looking to devise a more detailed set of rules on benefit sharing, governance and legal processes.
  • Uncategorized

Wrangling over Climate Finance Language in SDG Summit Declaration

The US, the UK and a handful of developed countries have pushed back on climate finance language within a draft declaration on the SDGs ahead of the SDG summit in New York in September. Issues of contention included the manner in which calls to reform the international financial system were phrased, and the establishment of a multibillion-dollar development stimulus plan.
  • Climate Finance, COP28

Ruto calls for the creation of a Global Green Bank

Kenyan President William Ruto is looking to radically shake up the global climate finance architecture, proposing that multilateral lenders provide at least $500 billion/year to settle existing debts and free up domestic resources for climate and development priorities. He also wants the establishment of a global Green Bank, financed by carbon taxes and other climate levies.
  • Climate Finance, COP28

Africa Climate Summit under fire from CSOs

Civil Society Organisations are arguing that the African Climate Summit has been “hijacked by Western governments, consultancy companies, Global North think tanks and philanthropy organisations/ foundations.”
  • COP28