Category: Uncategorized

2025 was a whirlwind year for Africa’s climate agenda, with both internal and external events shaping the continent’s positions and priorities. We break down the themes and topics that defined the year, and what may lay ahead for 2026.

The Global Stocktake concluded in 2023, but Parties still cannot agree on the structure of discussions for its implementation. What does this mean for NDCs and what must come out of the Bonn Climate Talks?

This week’s proposed revisions to the EU’s CBAM indicate that the bloc’s appetite for its full operation next year is alive and well, but that it is looking to reduce the number of EU importers it applies to, and to delay the payment obligation. This may benefit African exporters, but tweaks to calculation methods might make things harder in other respects. 

Lamis Elkhatieb from the Loss and Damage Youth Coalition writes on the group’s expectations for COP29 on loss and damage finance, and the operationalisation of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage.

The WTO continues to support the roll-out of carbon pricing in all countries to avoid litigation on current and future climate related trade measures, like the CBAM. However, it acknowledges that developing countries are at risk from these measures, and are especially impacted by short transition periods, a lack of financial capacity and a lack of infrastructure to adapt.

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.