Author: THINKTEAM Support

What to expect from African leaders at the Biodiversity COP

Ahead of COP16, African countries are looking to push for a global biodiversity fund under the direct control of the COP, meaningful indicators to measure the achievement of the global biodiversity targets, and obligatory payments for the use of digitally sequenced genetic information.

Adaptation

Zambia ill Prepared for Climate Disasters

In the wake of an extreme dry spell exacerbated by climate change, Zambia’s President Hichilema declared the drought a national disaster earlier this year. But is the country’s disaster management framework sufficiently robust, and is funding freed up by the hard-won debt-relief programme getting to the activities it needs to?

African Climate Policy

Does a Legal Challenge to the CBAM have Merit?

There have been numerous complaints and threatened legal actions against the EU’s CBAM alleging it violates global trade rules, but do these bear any prospect of success? Saweria Mwangi, a trade lawyer and former WTO dispute settlement attorney unpacks the legal underpinnings and merit of these claims.

Trade

Tax Cooperation and Climate Finance – Kicking the Can Down the Road to COP29

As the 79th UNGA comes to a close, the global community remains divided on how to address the climate finance gap. Despite some progress on framing an international tax convention, the discussion on taxation and climate finance continues to be sidestepped.

Climate Finance, COP29

Bridging the Divide between Global Trade Policy and Climate Action

In response to the global push to shore up green technology developments, African countries are increasingly looking to localise benefits from green minerals. But they face higher tariffs on processed green minerals and products made from them. A more open discussion on how the global trade environment facilitates African green mineral beneficiation is needed at this year’s COP.

African Climate Policy, Trade

Water Insurance Rescues Climate Troubled Communities

Loss and damage discussions have continuously pointed to the need for insurance to fill the gap. Water insurance is becoming an increasingly popular mechanism in Africa, but does it have the enabling environment and financial backing to operate at scale?

African Climate Policy, Loss And Damage

African Ministers call for $1.3 trillion Climate Finance Target

At the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment, Ministers called for a new climate finance target of not less than US$1.3 trillion annually. This aligns with numbers put forward by India and the Arab Group, but developed countries have been overwhelmingly silent on what amounts they intend to propose.

Climate Finance, COP29

African Carbon Projects Bear the Brunt of Market Dip

Last year's carbon market downturn as a result of integrity concerns particularly impacted REDD+ and cookstove projects in Africa, which make up about 90% of its supply. If African countries really want to see a high integrity market that benefits local economies, they need to be working more closely with voluntary regional bodies and intiatives that seek to champion market reforms.

Article 6

African Group of Negotiators Put Forward COP29 Positions

The African Group of Negotiators has settled on a set of positions it will take to COP29 in November in Baku. Reaching a fair, equitable and fit for purpose new finance goal remains front and centre. The group is also keen to reach agreement on key elements needed to operationalise the Global Goal on Adaptation, the Loss and Damage Fund, and Article 6 on carbon markets.

COP29

Youth Perspectives on Loss and Damage

Living in one of the most climate vulnerable regions, African youth are pushing their governments to better prepare for climate impacts and leverage the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage. We reached out to the Loss and Damage Youth Coalition to learn more about their views on the Fund’s role, their expectations for loss and damage and how their countries are preparing for the effects of climate change.

Climate Finance