African Group of Negotiators Backs Kenyan Civil Society’s Call for Urgent Climate Finance Action Ahead of COP29
In picture, Amb. Ali Mohamed, Kenya’s Special Envoy for Climate Change and Chairman of the African Group of Negotiators, receiving the position document of Kenyan Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) at his office in Nairobi.
By Aoma Keziah,
African Group of Negotiators with members of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).
In a significant step toward advancing Africa’s climate finance agenda, Amb. Ali Mohamed, Kenya’s Special Envoy for Climate Change and Chairman of the African Group of negotiators, reinforced the urgent call for a tailored climate finance framework to support adaptation initiatives across the continent.
Speaking in Nairobi after receiving the Kenyan Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) position paper, he emphasized the importance of COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, labeling it as a crucial platform to deliver on climate finance mandates, stressing that robust climate action hinges on securing funding to match Africa’s adaptation and mitigation goals.
“The Baku summit is a very important COP, and we hope it will deliver on the finance mandate, as Kenya leads the African Group of Negotiators, we will speak on behalf of the continent. It is essential that CSOs support this endeavor, representing the voices of African communities in urgent need of climate finance.” Amb. Mohamed stated,
He further acknowledged that the climate crisis exacerbates Africa’s debt challenges, and therefore, financing must be accessible and new without adding to the continent’s financial burdens.
“With Africa disproportionately affected by climate-induced crises like floods, droughts, and deteriorating infrastructure, it’s vital that COP29 addresses the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG) to prioritize African needs.” Amb. Mohamed continued to say.
Kenyan CSOs, represented by the Kenya Platform for Climate Governance (PACJA-Kenya), submitted a position statement , urging global leaders to adopt financing mechanisms that empower local communities, particularly those most affected by climate impacts. In their view, COP29, already being referred to as the “Climate Finance COP,” presents a pivotal opportunity to move beyond past financial pledges and establish a solid framework to directly fund adaptation and resilience efforts in developing nations.
The Kenyan Civil Society outlined key priorities for COP29 discussions including dvocating for an NCQG framework that supports people-centered initiatives, pushing for climate finance to come from public sources, ensuring accessibility for communities without additional debt.
“Climate finance must be new and additional, with reduced intermediaries to ensure funds reach those most in need.” said Faith Ngige, National Coordinator of PACJA-Kenya.
With over $3 trillion needed by 2030 to support African climate action, Kenyan CSOs called for at least 50% of climate finance to be directed toward adaptation, urging that this investment would empower communities to spearhead local adaptation efforts and reduce the disproportionate climate impacts affecting African nations.
Direct funding pipelines critical to enable rural and Indigenous communities to implement locally led solutions. Such projects in sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and waste management which could boost community resilience, reduce social instability, and promote equitable development.
They also emphasized that developing nations need a voice in shaping global climate policies.calling for accountability mechanisms at COP29 to enforce climate commitments, ensuring that vulnerable communities benefit from transparent, justice-oriented outcomes
Ahead of COP29, Kenyan CSOs shared a detailed action plan aimed at promoting climate justice and equity, including: Implementing a Need-Based NCQG, this would fund transformative, community-centered climate projects that empower marginalized groups and reduce dependence on costly private loans, recommend directing half of climate finance to adaptation, focusing on protecting vulnerable populations, promoting clean energy solutions, green job creation, and sustainable development to reduce emissions across Africa, emphasizing community-led conservation and restoration to address biodiversity loss and climate resilience, and ensuring Indigenous rights, gender equity, and local decision-making are prioritized in climate policies.
In support of the CSOs’ “Keep Your Promise Campaign” for COP29, Amb. Mohamed urged global leaders to adopt an NCQG that supports grassroots climate action stating that Africa has the resources and capacity to shape its own climate future, and the international community must shift from tokenism to meaningful development partnerships.
The African delegation aims for a just and resilient framework to meet Africa’s urgent climate needs and pave the way for sustainable solutions that can serve as a model globally.
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