Parliaments have a significant role to play in Climate change advocacy and action. Through their constitutional mandate, parliaments can advocate and participate in climate action through oversight, legislation and representation. Africa being one of the continents that have a high vulnerability index to Climate Change impacts, according to IPCC reports, it became imperative to strengthen and build capacities of parliamentarians on climate change issues. Therefore, the AGNES in conjunction with AUDA-NEPAD, Governments of Kenya, Namibia, Liberia and Congo among other partners, conducted a series of regional Parliamentary meetings to sensitize Parliamentarians on climate change issues, and their role in climate change advocacy and actions, at the same time enabling them to share information among themselves. These meetings culminated into a meeting of parliamentarians from four regions, Eastern, Western, Southern and Central Africa in Abidjan between 30th August and 5th September 2024. As a result of these meetings, the Africa Network of Parliamentarians on Climate Change (ANPCC) was established through the Abidjan Declaration in September 2024. Members of ANPCC elected the Executive Committee, which then elected the Networkās Bureau. The Bureau of the ANPCC was granted the responsibility of developing the legal governing documents of the network which they successfully did during the Pre-COP29 AGNES Strategy Meeting in a side event
The process of Establishing of the Africa Network of Parliamentarians on Climate ChangeĀ Ā
The Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) of IPCC highlighted that the adverse impacts of climate change are widespread and the continuous increase in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions will lead to increased global warming. Consequently, this will escalate the risks, projected adverse impacts, and related losses and damages from climate change. The Report further outlined that vulnerable communities that diminutively contribute to the greenhouse gases suffer more than those significantly emitting Greenhouse Gases. AR6 report emphasizes that without sustained mitigation and accelerated adaptation actions, losses and damages will continue to increase, implying that most vulnerable continents like Africa, the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) will continue to experience losses and damages as a result of climate change.
Also, the Sixth Assessment Report outlined the need to review climate legislation as part of climate action given the role law plays in climate change actions. It takes proper legislation to coordinate climate change policies, and to designate a National Designated Authority (NDA), its functions and powers. Further, the law plays a very significant role in establishing international and national commitments, their implementation by the Executive, and oversight by Parliaments.
Recognizing the role Parliaments can play in adaptation and mitigation efforts, the AGNES in conjunction with partners mentioned above, conducted four regional parliamentary meetings. These meetings brought together Parliamentarians from portfolio committees on climate change, environment, natural resources, agriculture and water from African Parliaments, parliamentary Staff, and UNFCCC focal points. The objectives of these meetings were to sensitize Parliamentarians on climate change issues, and their role in climate change advocacy and actions
The regional meetings held in Arusha (Eastern Africa), Monrovia (West Africa region), Windhoek (Southern Africa) and Brazzaville (Central Africa), culminated in a meeting of Parliamentarians in Abidjan between 30th August and 5th September 2024. In this meeting, the African Network of Parliamentarians on Climate Change (ANPCC) was established through the Abidjan declaration. The Members of Parliament elected the Networkās Executive Committee, which elected the Bureau of the Network.
How ANPCC Adopted the Africa Model Climate Law, Training Curriculum and monitoring & accountability toolĀ
The AGNES Team informed the Bureau to the African Network of Parliamentarians on Climate Change (ANPCC) on the Parliamentary work that they have been doing, which include:
- The Training Curriculum to sensitize Parliamentarians on Climate Change IssuesĀ
- The Monitoring and Accountability Tool to enhance the oversight of Parliament, especially on climate change actions.Ā
- The Africa Model Climate Change Law.Ā
The Parliamentary Training CurriculumĀ Ā
The training curriculum was presented to the Bureau of the ANPCC for their consideration highlighting some of the Modules to be taught, the model of delivery of the Curriculum and a tentative timetable. The module would be delivered in two forms, first; during the induction of Members of Parliament in their respective National and Regional Parliaments touching on the basic fundamentals of climate change, the role of parliamentarians in climate change advocacy and oversight of commitments made by the Executive as well as a call to action. Secondly, through a 4-day workshop touching on in-depth issues such as Climate Change and Development, emerging areas in climate change, Climate Change Policy Frameworks and Legislative Action.
The Monitoring and Accountability ToolĀ Ā
The components of the Monitoring and Accountability Tool were presented before the ANPCC Bureau during the meeting, highlighting its key elements, the problems it aims to solve, and its design. Recognizing the gaps in oversight processes and data, the tool shall be integrated within a Parliamentās ICT system and shall be informed by a data repository from the credible sources. Moreover, the tool shall have the capacity to track key legislative and government functions such as laws, the budget and performance of relevant portfolio committees. Further, the tool shall also be AI enabled to generate motion statements, digest and reports informed by the data repository with Geographic Information Systems and remote sensing support to aid Parliamentarians in their oversight mandate. The Bureau showed interest in the tool and pledged to support and domesticate the Monitoring and Accountability Tool.
The Africa Model Climate Change LawĀ Ā
In the Side meeting of the Parliamentary Bureau, the AGNES presented The Climate Change Model Law for Africa to the members highlighting some of its key elements. The Bureau requested intensified research and identification of best practices especially in Carbon Markets and Trading, Climate Finance, Just Transition and Public Participation. This is because of the increased scale of carbon trading programmes in Africa, the challenges in accessing climate finance, the transition from carbon intensive economies to less carbon intensive economies and the need to carry the public along in climate actions was also requested. This calls on more work to be conducted in identifying the best practices under these elements of the law. The Bureau expressed gratitude of the work being undertaken and they look forward to the Model Law for their domestication given some countries are in the process of formulating climate change legislation and those with existing legislation have begun reviewing and amending the same.
What the Founding members Co-createdĀ
- Structure of the organsĀ
The Bureau of the ANPCC developed their organization structure to comprise of the following structures:
- The General Assembly ā which shall be the highest decision-making organ of the Network comprising of 10 representatives from each of the five sub-regions of Africa. The Pan-African Parliament, through the Chair of the Permanent Committee responsible for Climate Change shall be an observer at the General Assembly.Ā Ā
- The Executive Committee ā which shall be an organ constituted by elections at the General Assembly with three representatives from each of Africaās five sub-regions. The Executive Committee shall issue directions to the Bureau. The Pan-African Parliament, through the Chair of the Permanent Committee responsible for Climate Change shall be an observer at the Executive CommitteeĀ Ā
- The Bureau ā which shall constitute the members elected by the Executive Committee and shall be responsible for the day-to-day running of the Network. It consists of the Chairperson, two Vice-Chairpersons, the Secretary General and a deputy Secretary General. The Pan-African Parliament, through the Chair of the Permanent Committee responsible for Climate Change shall be an observer at the Bureau.Ā
- Standing Sub-committees ā there shall be three standing sub-committees on Gender, Health and Education; Finance; and Climate Action. These committees shall be chaired by the members of the Bureau with the exception of the committee. The Executive Committee is empowered to establish ad hoc committees to deal with special issues of concern in relation to climate change.Ā
- Regional Chapters ā shall consist of five members nominated from the National Chapters and three members from the Regional Parliaments namely the Chairperson of the relevant Portfolio Committee responsible for climate change issues; a member of the Portfolio Committee responsible for climate change issues and a member of the Climate Caucus where applicable. These regional chapters shall establish their own secretariat.Ā
- National Chapters ā established within Africa Member States and shall comprise of designated chairpersons and members of the Portfolio Committees on Agriculture, Climate Change, Environment, Natural Resources and Blue Economy as well as from Parliamentary forums or caucuses on climate change where applicable.Ā
- The Secretariat ā this shall be supporting staff to the Network responsible for the day-to-day management of the Networkās affairs, appointed or removed by the Executive Committee.Ā
- Membership rules and regulationsĀ
The Membership to the Network is open to designated chairpersons and members of Portfolio Committees on Agriculture, Climate Change, Environment, Natural Resources, Blue Economy and Sustainable Development in African Parliaments. Chairpersons and members of Parliamentary forums and caucuses on climate change, where applicable, may also join the Network.
Another category of membership to the Africa Network of Parliamentarians on Climate Change is
- Honorary membership which will be afforded to the founding members of the Network,Ā Ā
- Honorary members invited by the Executive Committee orĀ
- Honorary members recommended by the National Chapters based on their contributions, experience and expertise on climate changeĀ
- Honorary member institutions invited by the Executive Committee based on their contributions and expertise on climate change.Ā
- Article of associationĀ
During their first meeting, the bureau deliberated on the Articles of Association of the Network to outline its objectives. The core objective of ANPCC as outlined by the bureau is to provide a platform for Parliamentarians across Africa working on climate change to enhance Africaās voice in carrying out climate-related work and advocacy.
Ā Other objectives of the Network include:Ā
- Representing Africa and regional interests on climate change.Ā
- Enhancing the enactment of climate legislation.Ā
- Promoting the adoption and use of decision support tools to enhance Parliamentary oversight.Ā
- Strengthening the cooperation and coordination between African Union institutions, RECs, Pan-African Parliament, Member States and the Africa Group of Negotiators.Ā
- Working with the Executive, CSOs, research community, private sector, indigenous people and local communities in climate change actions and advocacy.Ā
- Facilitating the exchange of information and lessons learnt among the members and across other Parliamentary networks.Ā
- To establish and strengthen regional and national chapters that will feed into the Networkās General Assembly.Ā
- To work with local communities to raise awareness and encourage them to take measures that enhance their climate resilience, enlisting public support for climate action efforts, initiatives and activities.Ā
The Speaker of the Kenyan Senate commends and acknowledges the NetworkĀ
As part of the meetingās agenda, the Bureau visited the Kenyan Parliament and sat at the Senate Speakerās Gallery, on Thursday 26th September 2024, where they were recognized by the Speaker and members of the Kenyan Senate. Hon. Senator Moses Kajwangā apprised the Senate on the Africa Network of Parliamentarians on Climate Change and the work they have undertaken; formulating the Networkās governing documents, consideration of Parliamentary work and the Roadmap for the Network. The Hon. Senator tabled the Abidjan Declaration before the House for consideration by the Speaker and the Senate at large in his capacity as the Chair of the Climate Caucus.
The Bureau had a special meeting with the Rt. Hon. Amason Kingi, Speaker of the Senate of Kenya, who commended the work that had been taken to establish the Network, given it was a self-initiated project. He emphasized on the need for Parliaments to take their space in climate change advocacy and negotiations through their oversight role to ensure that African States are safe from the risk of signing skewed deals during climate change voluntary negotiations. The Speaker assured the Bureau of his continued support and the existing goodwill by other Parliamentary leadership referring to a meeting that was held earlier in Midrand, South Africa of Speakers from African Parliaments where climate change issues were discussed.
Call to actionĀ
The Speaker of the Senate called for the rapid operationalization of the Network, including reaching out to the North African region to integrate them into the Network. The Parliamentarians recommended more engagement with Parliamentary Leadership such as Speakers to champion climate change and the activities carried out by the Africa Network of Parliamentarians on Climate Change(ANPCC).