Over 350 African Civil Society Organizations Call for Urgent Action to Combat Climate Crisis

A movement of more than 350 African civil society organisations that brings together the youth, women and longstanding climate activists from across Africa has demanded that the rich polluting nations cut down on their emissions and pay Africa $5 trillion annually for the harm caused by their irresponsible actions, especially to the most vulnerable communities.

Noting that Africa is responsible for less than 4 percent of the global emissions but bears the biggest burden of the climate crisis, the movement, under the banner of African Citizens’ Climate Caravans, emphasises that the obligation of rich nations to fund climate action in Africa is rooted in the principles of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement and is therefore not an act of charity. 

‘‘Climate action and response to demands that the rich countries act right has been painfully slow. We can’t condone a global system and leadership that is clearly tone-deaf to a justified quest for justice,’’ said Sena Alouka, Executive Director of JVE International.

The movement is demanding that climate finance be issued to Africa only as grants, pointing out that a significant share of the funds that rich nations have reported as climate finance to Africa have been in the form of loans which only serves to push the continent deeper into the debt hole.

‘‘Rich nations promptly paying Africa what they owe can help millions of Africans devastated by the climate crisis cope better. The lies and the dishonesty of the rich nations around climate financing only buys time for those who are responsible for the mess in the face of an urgent need to save lives and livelihood,’’ said Ayan Harare, Climate Justice Lead at Oxfam in Africa.

The Climate Caravan, launched today in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, will remain active until COP29 in November as a series of activities, including climate marches in different African countries, and will be galvanised by a clarion call for climate justice. The caravan conveners consider it a critical opportunity for African communities to advocate for their rights and secure a sustainable future in the face of an escalating climate crisis.

‘‘Climate talks, including at the highest levels such as the COP meetings, must be centred on the communities most impacted by the climate crisis. Through the activities of this caravan, African communities will raise their voices and demand that COP29 makes a difference and delivers the justice that climate talks have denied them for years,’’ said Oumou Aminata Dramé, a climate activist member of the African citizens' climate caravans.