By Bunmi Yekini
At the second Africa Climate Summit, ActionAid challenged African leaders to commit to a just and sustainable shift away from fossil fuels and industrial agriculture, warning against false solutions that could deepen climate injustice.
“Africa continues to bear the brunt of the climate crisis,” said Emmaqulate Kemunto, Africa Regional Campaigner at ActionAid International. “The time has come to demand a just transition from fossil fuels and industrial agriculture. At this Summit, we need Africa’s heads of state and policymakers to ensure that the deals and commitments made deliver a just transition for Africa, by Africa.”
Kemunto stressed that climate finance mechanisms must serve people, not polluting countries and corporations. “This means, for instance, committing only to climate financing mechanisms, partnerships and pathways that centre the needs and rights of the people of Africa,” she added.
ActionAid warned that the climate crisis is also a debt and human rights crisis. The organization insisted that African countries must reject climate finance models that trap nations in debt or worsen inequalities.
Nigus Simane, Country Director of ActionAid Ethiopia, urged African leaders to champion equity. “The time has come for Africa to show leadership and forge a new pathway to address the climate crisis based on the principles of justice, inclusion and equity,” he said. “The rights of people most affected by the climate crisis must be at the centre of conversations to move away from the systems and false solutions that have perpetuated climate injustice.”
ActionAid outlined four key demands for the summit:
Provide grant-based climate finance for a just transition, not loans, and push for debt cancellation.
Ensure a just transition designed “for Africa, by Africa” that protects vulnerable communities.
Invest more public finance in agroecology and community-led climate solutions.
Reject false solutions such as geoengineering, gene editing, and carbon offsets.
“Africa must hold the line and demand climate justice,” ActionAid declared.