Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, September 2, 2024 — As Ministers meet for the 10th Special Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) in Abidjan, Greenpeace Africa’s campaigners have urged African leaders to take decisive action to address the interlinked crises of plastic pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss.
This year’s conference theme, “Raising Africa’s Ambition to Reduce Land Degradation, Desertification, and Drought,” emphasises the urgent need for robust policies that align with the continent’s environmental challenges.
Hellen Dena, Pan African Plastics Lead at Greenpeace Africa, stated:
“ Plastic pollution and climate change are intertwined. Plastics contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions throughout their lifecycle, exacerbating desertification and drought. A Global Plastics Treaty mandating a 75% reduction in plastic production by 2040 is crucial to limit global warming to 1.5°C and protect our planet for future generations. African leaders must champion investments in sustainable alternatives,refill and reuse systems and support a just transition that prioritises frontline communities.”
Stella Tchoukep, Forest Campaigner at Greenpeace Africa, said:
Africa is facing land degradation, climate change, and in some regions desertification. These multiple crises have negative impacts on land productivity, biodiversity and ecosystems, and are caused by imported development policies. These policies often perpetuate the colonial model of natural resource exploitation, with rural populations, Indigenous Peoples and other vulnerable people paying the highest price. As African ministers convene in Abidjan, they must prioritise solutions which integrate both protection of biodiversity and the respect of the rights of communities who through their presence have protected forest for generations.
Fred Njehu, Pan African Political Strategist, said:
African Ministers and policy makers have an opportunity to build political momentum with concrete solutions and outcomes going into the Conference of the Parties on Convention for Biodiversity 16 in Cali and the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP 29 in Baku. Top on their priorities should be to deliberate on a New Collective and Quantified Goal on Finance (NCQG) that addresses climate loss and damage, mitigation and rising adaptation needs in Africa, as well as craft a roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels into renewable energy solutions.
Greenpeace Africa calls on African leaders to ensure that the conference outcomes include clear commitments to drastic reductions in plastic production, enhanced climate adaptation strategies, and the scaling up of investments in renewable energy and sustainable practices.
ENDS
For more information, please contact:
Ferdinand Omondi, Communication and Story Manager, Greenpeace Africa
Cell: +254 722 505 233
Email: [email protected]
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