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Strengthening the Role of Parliaments in the Implementation of International and National Climate Change Commitments in Africa
September 1 - September 3
Africa is one of the continents that are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, even though it only contributes to less than 4% of the greenhouse gases that cause climate change. The high vulnerability index of Africa is owed to the fact that the continent is dependent on sectors that rely on climate stability, like the agricultural sector. This implies that climate change is posing a risk to the food security and livelihoods of people in Africa. In addition, these climatic impacts are hindering progress in development since African states have to strain and set a budget that caters to responding to victims of natural disasters like flooding, landslides, and drought, among others. Furthermore, there is a need for adaptation in the face of climate change, and this, once again, diverts funds that are meant for development in other essential sectors like education and healthcare, therefore slowing down development in Africa. To discuss further, the Paris Agreement requires that countries prepare, communicate and maintain Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in which they pledge a target for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Most African countries have communicated their NDCs for the period up to 2030 and are in the process of preparing NDCs 3.0 for the period 2031 – 2035. Apart from the Paris Agreement, African countries and other countries signed and ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in a bid to participate in the global response to address the threats posed by climate change. Parliaments play a major role in the implementation of these climate policies and climate action through their legislative oversight, budget appropriation and representation function. Based on the foregone, the AGNES held four successful regional sensitization meetings for the Chairs and Members of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committees on Environment, Climate Change, Agriculture and Natural Resources of the respective national Parliaments, parliamentarian staff, and UNFCCC focal points from Central, Eastern, Southern and West Africa. Among the agreed next steps within each of the sub-regional communiques, was to hold a Side Event for parliamentarians in the side lines of the CCDA and AMCEN in Abidjan Côte D’Ivoire scheduled from 1st to 3rd September 2024.
Areas discussed during the sub-regional meeting
The four meetings successfully covered various aspects, including raising awareness among parliamentarians about the national and international commitments to climate change. Also, there was a moment when national Parliaments shared their experiences on the tools used to provide oversight and track the progress of implementation of climate change policies and climate action. There were also training and capacity-building programs for parliamentarians and parliamentary staff on climate change issues during the meetings. Other aspects covered include- Creating opportunities for accessing technical expertise to support legislative oversight and budget review by Parliaments.
- Developing strategies for inclusive stakeholder engagement in climate change action planning and implementation, including harnessing community voice and indigenous and local knowledge.
- Promoting cooperation among Southern African Parliaments and other Parliaments from the other regions of Africa and beyond.
- Engaging with international climate and other High-Level Forums, including Parliaments in other jurisdictions, such as the Pan African Parliament, UK Parliament, US Congress, Canadian Parliament, EU Parliament, BRICS+, G7, and G20, among others.
- Accessing climate finance to enhance parliamentary oversight on climate action accountability and reporting.
- Sharing best practices in the formulation and enactment of climate change laws.
- Various mechanisms for ensuring monitoring, accountability and transparency in the implementation of climate change policies.
- Effective allocation and utilization of resources for locally-led adaptation and mitigation actions.
Who are we expecting to attend a meeting in Abidjan
- Champions from the sub-regional parliamentary meetings held in Monrovia (Liberia), Arusha (Tanzania), Windhoek (Namibia) and Brazzaville (Republic of Congo)
- Resource Persons.
What we look forward to achieve
We look forward to achieving the following objectives- Expose the Chairs and Members of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committees on Environment, Climate Change, Agriculture and Natural Resources to how Africa develops a common position on environment, climate change, desertification, and biodiversity.
- Election of the African Parliamentary Climate Leadership/Champions on Climate Change from among the Chairs and Members of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committees on Environment, Climate Change, Agriculture and Natural Resources from across the continent.
- Develop key messages on climate change for inclusion in the CCDA XII and AMCEN outcomes.
- Forge a working relationship between the African Parliamentary Leadership/Champions on Climate Change with CCDA and the AMCEN.
- Serve as a preparatory meeting of Chairs and Members of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committees on Environment, Climate Change, Agriculture and Natural Resources from across the continent.
What we expect to offer as outcomes
The expected outputs and outcomes of the side are:- Best practices shared among the Chairs and Members of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committees on Environment, Climate Change, Agriculture and Natural Resources from across the continent.
- A common position for parliamentarians’ engagement with the CCDA and the AMCEN and at the national level.
- African Parliamentary Leadership/Champions on Climate Change.
- Communique reflecting the common position by Parliamentarians.