Mr Jean-Marc Akakpo. CCS Hosts Webinar on COP26
UKZN’s Centre for Civil Society (CCS) hosted a webinar to review the Conference of the Parties’ (COP26) role in addressing climate change in Africa. It focused on enhanced commitments to mitigate climate change that resulted in the Glasgow Climate Pact relating to measures to reduce coal consumption.
CCS researcher Mr Andries Motau facilitated the webinar, which featured Mr Jean-Marc Akakpo, a doctoral candidate in Political Science and International Conflict Management, Peacebuilding, and Development.
Akakpo unpacked the negative impact of climate change across the world and examined Glasgow against the Paris Accord and the reality and challenges of COP26. He noted that the Brundtland Commission primarily focused on environmental issues such as non-sustainable consumption and production in the North, and severe poverty caused by environmental problems in the South.
Akakpo noted that heat, productivity and health are intertwined; 300 billion working hours have been lost globally due to increased temperatures. The intense heatwave between 2019 and 2020 was 10 times more severe than that recorded at the beginning of the last century. ‘If emissions do not come down drastically before 2030, by 2040, 3.9 billion people are likely to experience major heatwaves each year,’ he said.
He added that severe weather events and slow-onset processes such as drought and a rise in sea levels can cause losses and damage to human societies, infrastructure and the natural environment through a combination of anthropogenic (human-caused) climate change and natural climate variability.
Akakpo referred to the conflict between herders and farmers in Nigeria that is centuries old but has escalated drastically within the past year as climate change is driving herders south into the country’s central farmland. He noted that, ‘Scholars, international organisations, regional communities and countries have recognised that climate change poses serious security threats in Africa.’
Turning to the Glasgow versus the Paris Accord, Akakpo said the Glasgow conference recognised the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of ensuring sustainable, resilient, and inclusive global recovery. It thus highlighted the need for solidarity around climate change, particularly with developing countries.
‘Delegates also recognised the important role of multilateralism in addressing climate change and promoting regional and international co-operation to strengthen climate action in the context of sustainable development and efforts to end climate change,’ said Akakpo.
He said that the conference invited the United Nations’ Secretary-General to convene world leaders in 2023 to examine the ambitions for 2030 and gaps in the implementation of the Paris Agreement. It also called for high-level champions to support the effective participation of non-party stakeholders in the global discussions.
Words: Sinoyolo Mahlasela
Photograph: Supplied