The second Africa Climate Summit has concluded with African Leaders officially adopting a declaration; aiming to raise $50 billion a year for new climate solutions, committing to unlocking Africa’s renewable energy potential, and uniting the continent as one voice ahead of COP30.
The summit, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia this week, is a key milestone on the road to COP30 in Brazil and an opportunity for Africa to position itself as driving solutions tackling the water and climate crisis.
With weather-related disasters such as flooding and drought increasing by 400% in the last 50 years, putting major pressure on vital water access and sanitation systems, the Africa Climate Summit brings together countries which have contributed the least to climate change but are worst affected.
Reacting to the Addis Ababa Declaration, Moreblessings Chidaushe, Pan Africa Programme Advocacy Manager at WaterAid South Africa, said: “Today’s declaration demonstrates a real commitment from governments across the continent to come together and invest in targeted, effective climate action, which is essential for addressing the water and climate crisis, and securing lives and livelihoods. It’s clear that Africa is not only a region on the frontline of climate impacts, but it is also developing and accelerating innovative solutions to tackle the climate crisis “Ahead of this year’s COP30, African governments have come together with a clear and unified message: the world needs to step up.
High-income countries are increasingly backing away from responsibility on climate finance and lacking political will. Almost 1 in 10 people don’t have clean water close to home, and climate change is only making this worse. Access to clean water is the backbone of climate action, ensuring girls can stay in school, families stay healthy and communities can be more resilient to the impact of climate change.
“Now, we need global leaders to listen to the voices and calls made at the Africa Climate Summit and take urgent action at COP30 to tackle the water and climate crisis and protect people’s futures. No one can adapt to a world without clean water. To coincide with the Summit, WaterAid have this week published new data revealing that 90% of respondents from Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa are concerned that climate change will affect their children’s future, and 99% believe that access to clean water close to home is important in coping with the climate crisis.
