FREETOWN, Sierra Leone, November 14 (IPS) – Sierra Leone is among the 10 percent of the world’s countries most vulnerable to the adverse consequences of climate change, and is currently one of the most vulnerable. least able to cope with these impacts.
Unpredictable weather patterns, severe floods, landslides and related crop failures are becoming more frequent even as the country is seeing trees being cut down at a faster rate than planting.
And climate scientists tell us that if the world doesn’t achieve a drastic reduction in global warming over the next eight years, then the natural disasters we’ve seen in recent times around the world world will be child’s play compared to what’s to come.
COP27The 27th Conference of Member States, taking place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt is the annual United Nations meeting of governments, scientists and other key stakeholders from all countries around the world to review progress in efforts to prevent environmental disasters, against commitments in global climate action agreements.
Africa, the global region that has contributed the least to the ongoing climate crisis, has experienced some of the heaviest losses and damage from human-caused climate change.
So when the continent hosts this year’s COP, the main preoccupation will be to create a roadmap to deliver on unfulfilled promises. COP. This is particularly relevant in relation to the rich countries’ pending financial commitments to assist developing countries such as Sierra Leone in mitigating and adapting to climate change.
It should be made clear that the issue of high-income countries’ climate finance obligations to developing countries is not more a matter of aid dependence than a matter of climate justice.
There will be a legitimate incentive to increase funding for adaptation and resilience projects in low- and middle-income countries to generate positive impacts on economic growth, social progress, and social progress. society and improve resilience to climate change.
A specific need would be for richer countries to make good on their $100 billion annual climate financing pledge and double adaptation assistance to $40 billion by 2025 agreed in Glasgow last year in COP26.
Among other concrete proposals to be vigorously adopted at COP27 is the establishment and activation of an early warning system for climate emergencies that within the next five years will cover the entire world.
Another project is a series of climate-smart projects with bankability (about 400) in areas such as agriculture, energy, transportation, technology and digital platforms, and the like. organic products. There will also be much interest in decisions and actions, especially financial ones, to deal with ‘loss and damage’ beyond the capacity of states to cope.
Sierra Leone, like many developing countries, is besieged today by a multifaceted crisis of food insecurity, mounting debt, soaring costs of living and a potentially limited energy deficit. attention to the obvious and present danger posed by the climate crisis. for humanity.
However, as the present challenges cannot be solved with the available development finance and normal operating practices, now is the time for the country to make the most of the opportunities to benefit from these developments. Innovative and sustainable climate finance solutions.
There needs to be a change in policy thinking towards an integrated approach that simultaneously addresses two or more issues related to livelihoods, job creation, human resource development, community health, environmental protection, and more. environment, gender equality, food security and access to energy.
A simple example would be solar interventions directly linked to improved agricultural practices, potable water availability, healthcare provision, and Internet connectivity for schools. high schools in the target districts.
Even more positive examples of the innovative and ambitious nature of integrated sustainability solutions will be highlighted, discussed and promoted at COP27.
As the top United Nations leader in Sierra Leone, an important part of my role is bringing together a wide range of stakeholders including national authorities, international organizations and stakeholders. Collaborating from across civil society to promote dialogue on climate action and outline the country’s share of goals ahead of COP27.
Earlier last month, I convened the Climate Action Dialogue together with the Government of Sierra Leone, the High Commissioner of the United Kingdom and the European Union to strengthen the participation and coordination of the Sierra high-level delegation. Leone to COP27.
This dialogue was born out of discussions I had with the UK Government – who held the Presidency of the United Nations Climate Conference – COP26 in Glasgow last year.
Building on momentum from Glasgow, I have continued these discussions with the UK Government and the European Union this year to develop a diverse program of speakers for the Climate Action Dialogue, which will include: highlights key priorities and potential actions for the private sector, NGOs, development partners and government.
By convening these top authorities in Sierra Leone together, this Dialogue helped focus efforts on concrete ways in which Sierra Leone can take advantage of its impressive natural assets (including forests, agricultural assets, water resources, biodiversity and solar resources) to create access to climate finance and to deliver nature-based solutions to drive economic recovery. economy and long-term development plan.
The Dialogue also provides an important platform for stakeholders to discuss how Sierra Leone can benefit more from global climate funds. In light of this engagement, my team at the Office of the Resident Coordinator prepared a Climate Action Partnership Brief that was made available to all attendees.
It is clear from these open discussions and constructive exchanges that the rich natural resources of Sierra Leone can be better used to take advantage of the financial and technological resources the country needs. for inclusive, green and sustainable economic growth, instead of cheaply exporting vital resources like key products.
Discussions are currently underway among the three lead development partners – the UN, UK and EU – to plan follow-up events that delve deeper into specific areas of climate commitments. of Sierra Leone.
We hope that Sierra Leone’s participation in COP27 (which ends November 18) will help fast-track the implementation of the key next steps agreed at the Dialogue Concerning Financing Models. climate policy, and promote rapid scaling of ongoing climate-smart projects. across the country.
This includes forest conservation, solar and hydroelectric power generation and distribution, fisheries and coastal management, agriculture and agro-processing. It also needs to strengthen its commitment to deliver on the promise the country has made to end deforestation by 2030.
Like the rest of the world, climate change is affecting every aspect of Sierra Leonean economy and society. COP27 will therefore also emphasize to everyone the fact that urgent climate action is not the responsibility of governments alone.
Therefore, we encourage participants to the Conference, not only from the government, but also from civil society organizations, the private sector, the mass media, development agencies international and higher education institutions, returning home with a renewed commitment and ambition to join hands in pursuing climate emergency action and fully participate in climate finance.
Only in this way can countries truly address the climate crisis in a way that protects national environmental resources, builds resilience to climate-related shocks, and promotes resilience. Sustainable development leaves no one behind.
Babatunde A. Ahonsi is the UN Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone.
Source: United Nations Sustainable Development Group
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