Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, September 7, 2024 — As the 10th Special Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) concludes, Greenpeace Africa commends African ministers for their leadership in tackling some of the continent’s most critical environmental issues—climate change, plastic pollution, and biodiversity loss. This year’s conference results lay the groundwork for a stronger African voice in upcoming global climate and environmental negotiations.
Amos Wemanya, Greenpeace Africa’s Responsive Campaigns Lead reiterated the need to advocate for ambitious and needs-based climate finance outcomes at COP 29.
“COP 29 provides African governments with a crucial opportunity to demand debt-free, public climate finance to support communities on the front lines of the climate crisis. This is no time to gamble with carbon offsets or private finance. Polluters, especially the fossil fuel industry, must be held accountable. Wealthy nations must take the lead in providing the climate finance needed to support renewable energy, land restoration, and food sovereignty in Africa, ” said Amos.
“Millions of African lives depend on establishing a fair and equitable climate finance system. The new climate finance goals must directly address the economic and debt challenges facing our people.” he added.
Gerance Mutwol, Plastics Campaigner at Greenpeace Africa, underscored the urgent need to advance negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty:
“Plastics are intensifying Africa’s environmental crises, contributing to land degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate-induced desertification. Despite producing less than 5% of the world’s plastics, Africa suffers disproportionately from their impacts. A 75% reduction in plastic production by 2040 is essential to achieving the 1.5°C climate target.”
“As we head into the fifth negotiation session (INC-5) in Busan, it is critical for African ministers to raise their ambitions for a treaty that shifts from a linear to a circular economy, significantly reducing plastic pollution and safeguarding our biodiversity,” Mutwol added.
Stella Tchoukep, Forest Campaigner at Greenpeace Africa, emphasized the need to protect Africa’s forests and natural resources:
“Our forests, oceans, and lands are not reserves for multinational corporations to exploit. We must implement sustainable policies that address the root causes of land degradation and vulnerability. The Congo Basin and other vital ecosystems must be shielded from exploitation and degradation.”
As AMCEN 2024 concludes, Greenpeace Africa urges African leaders to fulfill their commitments by advocating for stronger global climate and environmental policies at the upcoming COP 29 and INC-5 negotiations. The future of Africa’s people, environment, and economy depends on urgent action to reduce emissions, decrease plastic production, and safeguard biodiversity.
For more information, please contact:
Ferdinand Omondi, Communication and Story Manager, Greenpeace Africa
Email: [email protected]
Cell: +254 722 505 233
Greenpeace Africa Pressdesk: