As the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29)
prepares to open next week in Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku, the African Civil Society, African
civil societies coalesced under the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), have
released their demands and asks on climate finance for key climate issues facing the
continent. With COP29 dubbed the “Climate Finance COP,” African civil society leaders are
urging a focus on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) to achieve substantial and equitable financing solutions for climate action.
In a consolidated declaration, African CSOs highlighted the urgent need for global
commitments on adaptation, just transition, critical minerals, mitigation, and transparency
in carbon markets. “We call for the establishment of an ambitious sub-goal for adaptationfinance that prioritizes public, grant-based support for developing countries, responding toneeds outlined in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), and other national plans,” reads the statement.
Dr. Mithika Mwenda, Executive Director of PACJA, emphasized that COP29’s NCQG
negotiations must address Africa’s pressing adaptation needs as well as Loss and Damage.
“If the NCQG fails to consider the adaptation needs of vulnerable populations, COP29 will
not meet the threshold to be a genuine Climate Finance COP,” Dr Mithika stated.
The adaptation finance gap for developing nations remains significant—currently 10 to 18
times greater than actual international financial flows, which amount to approximately USD
20 billion per year. This falls well short of the estimated USD 166-366 billion needed annually to meet adaptation demands.
Obed Koringo, Climate Policy Advisor at Care Danmark, pointed to the critical need for
measurable progress on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA). “Despite ongoing
discussions, tracking adaptation progress remains challenging. We advocate for the GGA to become a permanent agenda item, with clear indicators to drive action,” he noted, stressing that effective implementation must be a top priority.
Youth advocate Elisabeth Wathuti, a Kenyan environment and climate activist and founder
of the Green Generation Initiative, also stressed the importance of meaningful youth
engagement in climate negotiations, highlighting that the continent’s young population must play an active role in shaping climate solutions. “The cost of inaction is far greater than the cost of taking action. We need clear outcomes on adaptation and Loss & Damage at COP29 to protect vulnerable communities and build resilience,” Elizabeth emphasized.
As the COP29 discussions begin, African Civil Society calls upon world leaders to prioritize
adaptation, Loss & Damage, and a just transition that meets the urgent needs of African communities on the frontlines of climate change. The key demands and asks dressed by African civil society, touched on pressing needs including, adaptation, climate Finance, Just Energy Transition and Critical minerals, mitigation, loss and damage, Carbon Markets, transparency and reiteration of Africa as a region of Special Needs and Circumstances.
Prof. Seth Osafo, Senior Legal Advisor at AGN said that it’s had to talk about the New
Collective Quantified goals leaving behind considerations of other dimensions.
“We must reimagine the quality of finance, moving beyond debt-based approaches—
currently at 72%—to include concessional loans, grants, and innovative financing
mechanisms. Additionally, funding must be accessible, predictable, and structured to
prioritize essential sub-goals, including Loss and Damage, while aligning on whether a
single-layer or multi-layer approach best serves the mobilization and provision of funds” Prof Osafo stated.
The convening was facilitated by the Azerbaijan NGO forum in an effort of solidarity.
The representative of State Agence appreciated the efforts made and promised that AfricanCSOs will get the opportunity to articulate their pressing issues and raise the voice of
communities at the frontline of crisis during COP29.