Aaron kaahYancho (PAMACC TEAM PARIS)
According to Mpanu, developed
countries hold historical responsibility for climate change. Referring to the Kyoto Protocol he recounted
how the Annex II countries owe a “climate debt” to developing countries. While digging
up issues of Finance, adaptation, technology transfer which the former chair termed
primordial for Africa, he enveloped the support of the developed countries to
Africa as an ultimate test of good will. On this score, Mpanu said there was no
clarity about the climate finance donations for a post-2020 prospects. He frown
that the proposed US$100 billion of
climate finance was merely a paper tiger.
Comparing and contrasting Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs),
which are likely to become legally binding instrument at the end of cop21,
without a legally binding financial
framework challenged Africa to strengthen its climate action.
Expressing hope that COP 21
can redynamize confidence in multilateral processes following the
failure of Copenhagen, Hon AminataNiang,
Member, Pan African Parliament who represented the president of the Pan African
Parliamentary group on climate change confirmed like the UN Secretary general
that there was no time to waste in tackling climate change . Hon. Aminata said
the hopes for Africa was for temperature to stay below 1.5*C. “And to achieve this we needed an equitable
agreement on Paris to rise to the challenge” She added.
While explaining the genesis of
the negotiations earlier on, Seth Osafo former Senior Legal Advisor, UNFCCC had
thrown more light on the Kyoto Protocol. Seth pinpointed that Africa needed
only a legal binding document that was applicable to
all parties. Examining the Kyoto and it legal
implementations Seth decried why the issue of differentiation as contained in
Article 3 of the UNFCCC was being pushed aside by the developed countries on
Cop21. “Paris seems to be talking more about an agreement and this agreement
might contain anything or nothing at all.” He said. He went further to classify
issues of historical responsibility, differentiated responsibilities (CBDR) and
equity as the only game changers for Africa.
Extending the solidarity of the Asian civil society groups with their
Africa Peers, LidyNacpil, Regional Coordinator, and Jubilee South commented the
Africa Group of Negotiators at the UNFCCC. Lidy shamed the divide and rule
tactic of the wealthy countries to weaken the coalition of the developing
countries . .” Developing countries have the moral authority to call rich
governments to account for delivering pledges that are not even half of their
fair share.” She lamented. Lidy Urged the African negotiators to insist on
scaling up of the financing targets.
Maria Phiri, Gender and Climate
Change Expert, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) called
for a gender sensitive agreement on Cop21. While insisting that specific
guidelines must be laid down Maria maintained that the issue of gender at COP 21
was also anchored on historical responsibility and equity principles.
Moderating the session
MithikaMwenda Secretary General, of PACJA had questioned the outcome from COP 21
drafted text which stood at 50. “We must question why many options exist in the
text and why we do not yet see a ray of light as we face out in the first week
of these deliberations.” Mithika cried.
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)
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