Africa battling pushbacks at COP27

Sharma El-Sheik, Egypt: Africa is facing multiple setbacks on two of its key priorities at COP27: the call for the continent to be granted special needs consideration status suffers another setback, and loss and damage talks have been limited to cooperation and facilitation rather than liability or compensation.

Collins Nzovu, Zambia's Minister of Green Economy and Chair of the Group of African Negotiators, stated that while negotiations are difficult, they are hopeful that their voice will be heard.

Since 2015, the special needs agenda has consistently been dropped. In a few cases, the international climate change regime explicitly recognises Africa's unique needs and circumstances.

However, there are limitations to advancing formal recognition of Africa in UNFCCC organs: first, many of Africa's special needs and circumstances are regional, which may not justify a continental approach because not all African countries have the same economic status.

Furthermore, certain needs and circumstances are already being negotiated for developing and least-developed countries, including African countries.

Nzovu stated that other negotiating blocs, such as Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDC), believe they are entitled to more special needs status.

One of the three main issues Africa is pushing for at COP27 is special consideration and recognition of Africa as a "special needs continent." The negotiators argue that Africa is one of the most vulnerable continents and that it should be designated as having special needs in order to receive more funding.

Furthermore, Africa and other negotiating partners are pushing for the adaptation financing from the US$100 billion pledge-rich countries to be doubled. The pledge was made in 2009 at COP15 in Copenhagen, and nothing has happened since then.

Africa is also concerned with loss and damage. Though the issue has been added to the COP27 agenda, there are concerns that the COP27 presidency's announcement will limit negotiators' ability to discuss liability and compensation issues until 2024, defeating the entire purpose.

However, Nzovu stated that simply being at the negotiating table is an accomplishment in and of itself because that is where issues are resolved.

He also stated that they are still pushing for the Santiago Network for Loss and Damage, which was agreed upon in 2019.

The network was created to connect developing countries with technical assistance, knowledge, and resources providers. So far, the network has agreed on its functions at COP26, but there are concerns about how those functions can be delivered, and this is where the focus is.

Nzovu said in the remaining day of COP27, their focus is on actualizing issues around loss and damage.

Malawi's environment minister, Eisenhower Mkaka, stated that so far, negotiations are going well and that the success of this COP will be determined by the implementation.

Mkaka stated that this year's theme, "Together for Implementation," is a reflection of previous COP failures where pledges were made but not followed through on.