As the impacts of climate change continue to threaten the global community, the Republic of Congo is taking proactive steps to strengthen its legislative response. From August 10-13, 2024, Brazzaville will host the “Parliamentary Days on Climate Change,” a significant event aimed at empowering parliamentarians with the knowledge and tools needed to drive effective climate action.
The Urgency of Climate Action
Climate change is the most pressing challenge of our time. Projections indicate a potential 4°C rise in global temperatures by the century’s end, with catastrophic consequences including severe flooding, food insecurity, unprecedented heatwaves, and biodiversity loss. The African continent, contributing only 3.6% of global emissions, disproportionately suffers from these impacts, facing extreme weather events, soil degradation, and coastal erosion. Despite these challenges, Africa receives a mere fraction of the necessary climate adaptation funding, exacerbating the continent’s vulnerability.
The Role of Parliamentarians
National parliaments have a crucial role in shaping and implementing effective climate policies. They are responsible for ensuring government accountability, allocating budgets, and overseeing the execution of climate actions. By leveraging their legislative powers, parliamentarians can champion the creation of robust climate laws, promote transparency, and mobilize resources for climate resilience. This event in Brazzaville seeks to fortify these roles by providing parliamentarians with comprehensive insights into climate risks, legislative strategies, and international commitments.
Objectives of the Meeting
The Parliamentary Days on Climate Change in Brazzaville aim to significantly enhance the knowledge and capabilities of African parliamentarians in addressing climate change. One key objective is to raise awareness among parliamentarians about the current and projected climate risks specific to their countries and regions. By understanding these risks, parliamentarians can better appreciate the urgency and scope of the climate crisis. Another objective is to clarify the critical roles that parliamentarians play in strengthening climate action at various levels, from local to international. This includes educating them on the national and international commitments their countries have made regarding climate change, ensuring they are fully aware of their responsibilities and the expectations placed upon them. The event also seeks to facilitate the sharing of experiences and best practices in formulating and enacting climate legislation, providing a platform for learning and collaboration. Finally, the meeting aims to identify key areas for a capacity-building program tailored specifically for parliamentarians, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively oversee and implement climate policies.
Expected Outcomes
The anticipated outcomes of the event are multifaceted and geared towards creating a more informed and proactive legislative body capable of tackling climate change. Firstly, parliamentarians will gain a deeper understanding of the climate risks their countries face and the global responses required, making them more informed advocates for climate action. Additionally, they will have a clearer understanding of their roles in reinforcing climate action across all governance levels, which is crucial for driving comprehensive and cohesive climate policies. Another expected outcome is an increased awareness of the national and international climate commitments that their countries have made, which will help ensure these commitments are met. The event will also result in parliamentarians being better informed about the experiences and successes of other countries in enacting climate legislation, providing valuable insights that can be adapted to their contexts. Lastly, the meeting aims to identify priority areas for a capacity-building program for parliamentarians, which will help them develop the necessary expertise to effectively monitor, report, and drive climate action initiatives.
A Collaborative Effort
This initiative is organized by the African Group of Experts to Support Negotiations (AGNES), in partnership with the Parliament of the Republic of Congo, the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), the ECCAS Commission, and the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), among others. Their combined efforts aim to empower parliamentarians to become effective agents of change in the fight against climate change.