By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NEW YORK | SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt (IDN) \u2014 Delegates to the UN climate conference (COP27) reached a compromise to create a fund for disadvantaged countries coping with climate disasters worsened by pollution, mainly from wealthy nations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The meeting of almost 200 countries, ending on November 20 after two weeks of talks, put a finishing touch to one of the most contentious issues dogging the UN group that saw years of discussion but no agreement on how to phase out fossil fuels or meet the urgent needs of African and other regions of the Global South.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The compromise was a new \u201closs and damage\u201d fund\u2014a win for poorer nations that have long called for cash, sometimes viewed as reparations \u2014for the costs of destructive storms, heat waves and droughts fueled by global warming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The United States and other wealthy countries have long rejected the loss and damage concept, fearing they could be held legally liable for the greenhouse gas emissions that are driving climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although the Americans have now agreed to add to a fund, money must be appropriated by the US Congress. Last year, the Biden administration sought $2.5 billion in climate finance but secured just $1 billion, and that was when Democrats controlled both chambers. With Republicans in power, who largely oppose climate aid, the prospects for approving an entirely new pot of money appear dim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Collins Nzovu, Zambia\u2019s minister of green economy and environment, called the latest development \u201ca very positive result for 1.3 billion Africans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But many African climate activists were dismayed by the small steps taken by the global delegates and also by the African delegations who, they said, used the conference to embrace the new scramble for oil and gas on the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor any meaningful outcome to be achieved in Egypt,\u201d wrote Tal Harris of Greenpeace, \u201cdelegates must listen to the people of Africa\u2014not the fossil fuel sector\u2014and collectively commit to a phase out of all fossil fuels\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other outspoken critics of fossil fuel development were Kenyan climate activist Barbra Kangwana of Safe Lamu. The group squashed government efforts to build a coal plant at Lamu, a UNESCO world heritage site, in the name of boosting the national electricity supply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe community raised its voice, lobbied, signed petitions, went to court, and eventually the people won,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Patience Nabukalu, an activist from Uganda, has been organizing against an East African crude oil pipeline (EACOP), calling it \u201ca clear example of colonial exploitation in Africa and across the global south\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEACOP is not going to develop our country: peoples\u2019 land was taken, leaving many homeless and poor and critical ecosystems and biodiversity at risk of oil spills such as lake Victoria, rivers, National Parks, animals and birds, as well as aquatic life. We remain hopeful and vigilant as banks and insurers have withdrawn their support. We will continue to resist until everyone involved abandons it completely.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe fossil fuel industry has degraded our people, our lands, our oceans and our air,\u201d charged Mbong Akiy with Greenpeace Africa. \u201cEnough is enough. No matter how many deals they sign, no matter how many bribes they pay, or how fancy the suits they wear: we shall wait for them in our communities, we will wait for them on the frontlines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe will not stop until we see a complete transition to clean, renewable energy that is guaranteed to take millions of Africans out of energy poverty\u2026 . In South Africa we have won against big oil, we sent Shell packing, and we will send them all packing again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFossil fuel production, if adopted, will stop Africa from leapfrogging towards a renewable and clean energy future,\u201d said Dean Bhekumuzi Bhebhe of Powershift Africa. \u201cWe pledge to continue pushing for The Africa We Want beyond COP27.\u201d [IDN-InDepthNews \u2014 22 November 2022]<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Photo credit: UNICEF\/UN0607653\/Rich<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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