ActionAid praises climate summit’s debt cancellation call, warns against carbon offsets

Stanley Ihedigbo

The second Africa Climate Summit’s declaration has been met with cautious optimism by ActionAid, a global humanitarian organization.

While the organization welcomes the collective call for debt cancellation and climate finance in the form of grants, it expresses concerns over the proposed expansion of carbon markets and debt swaps.

According to Africa Regional Campaigner at ActionAid International, Emmaqulate Kemunto, “There are positives to take from the summit, such as the clear calls for debt cancellation and the need for grants and not loans in climate finance.” However, Kemunto warns that carbon markets and debt swaps are “short-term distractions” from real, long-term solutions needed to address the climate crisis in Africa.

A recent report by ActionAid USA revealed that carbon markets do not reduce emissions and barely benefit local communities. In Kenya, for instance, only 2% of total project revenue reaches community conservancies, while the majority goes to middlemen, certifiers, and foreign companies.

ActionAid believes that adequate investment in agroecology is crucial for sustainable agricultural practices. The organization’s Interim Country Director in Ethiopia, Nigus Simane, emphasizes that governments must put their words into action and increase public financing for agroecology.

As the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) approaches, ActionAid urges African leaders to maintain a unified position and demand adequate climate financing for Africa’s just transition.

Country Director at ActionAid Tanzania, Bavon Christopher, stressed that African negotiators must unequivocally demand climate financing that ensures the needs and rights of the African people are not compromised.

The Africa Climate Summit’s declaration is seen as a bold step towards addressing the climate crisis in Africa.

However, ActionAid’s concerns highlight the need for careful consideration and implementation of climate solutions that prioritize equity, climate justice, and social inclusion.