ECOWAS to Implement Plan on Securing Biodiversity Protection
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will launch a regional plan to preserve ecosystems and put a stop to the extinction of wild species. The plan, titled ‘30 by 30’, is in line with a global commitment to expand protected areas to 30% of the planet by 2030. It will support the livelihoods […]
South African Loss and Damage Fund Nominee to Focus on Debt and Finance
Richard Sherman, an Africa group lead coordinator on climate finance negotiations and a member of the South African delegation to the UNFCCC, has been appointed to the Board of the new Loss and Damage Fund. In an interview with Daily Maverick, he explained that ““What we need right now is a fund that can do […]
Nigerian Environmental Minister Believes Carbon Market is Key
Nigerian Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, has stated that unlocking the carbon market is pivotal to the country’s environmental sustainability. During a 2 day workshop on ‘Nigeria’s Carbon Market Framework: Article 6 Training and Implementation Design’, he stated that “Nigeria’s carbon market is an emerging market that is yet to actualise its full potential; the […]
US and EU Still Can’t Agree on Steel trade Agreement, Amidst Talk of Climate Clubs
Since 2021, the US and EU have been vowing to work on a green steel agreement. In 2022, the US proposed a “Green Steel Club” as a means to overcome a frozen retaliatory tariff dispute. One of the unstated goals of the club would be to wall off “unsustainable” Chinese steel that has undercut US […]
EACOP faces Fresh Hurdles as Uganda vows to Expand Oil and Gas
The East African Crude Oil Pipeline Project (EACOP) project faces fresh hurdles in its implementation with several insurance companies refusing to provide insurance to it. According to a report by the Monitor, a total of 28 insurance firms have declined to provide insurance following pressure from climate activists. In a recent statement, Uganda’s Energy Minister, […]
OECD Claims $100 Billion Climate Finance Target Likely Reached in 2022
The OECD regularly publishes reports upon the flows of international climate finance. Absent an agreed definition of climate finance and a transparent and up to date mechanism that reports on flows, the OECD reports are often relied on (particularly by developed countries) as reflective of the current status quo. In a latest update by the […]
UNECA Supports growth of the African Carbon Market
Carbon markets have been highly controversial this year, particularly forestry related projects in Africa. At a convening of experts on 17 November 2023, Simon Mavel an economist at the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) presented a paper on Greening the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). His findings showed that pursuing existing National Determined […]
Global Climate Club to launch at COP28
A top EU climate official, Kurt Vandenberge told the media that the long awaited Climate Club, born of Germany’s G7 Presidency last year, will be launched at COP28. To date relatively little is known about the Club, save for the fact that it intends to foster collaboration between countries that peg themselves as highly ambitious […]
South Africa finalises its Just Energy Transition Implementation Plan
Just before COP28 kicked off, the office of the South African Presidency finalised an implementation plan to facilitate the flow of funds forming part of the $8.8 billion Just Energy Transition Partnership finance pact agreed to at COP26. The plan is a critical component of the agreement, as it supports the allocation of funds to […]
Two Days of Talks Fail to Produce any Pre-COP Breakthroughs
According to participants speaking to the AFP, nothing of importance was agreed to at the recent pre-COP28 climate talks on 3-5 November in Abu Dhabi. There were discussions around the Loss and Damage Fund and a focus on ensuring a smooth Global Stocktake. COP28 president Sultan al-Jaber said: “I know there are strong views about […]
