African Leaders Demand Fair Climate Funding Ahead of COP30
The second continental climate summit in Addis Ababa ended with a call for more money, a fairer funding system, and a stronger voice. The summit closed with the Addis Ababa Declaration – a plan that AU leaders say should reframe Africa not as a victim of climate change, but as a source of solutions. The aim was to agree on a common position ahead of COP30 in Brazil.
Three pillars of the declaration are: accelerating renewable energy to make Africa a green industrial power, forming a coalition on critical minerals, and protecting natural heritage. Their goal is to reframe Africa as a source of climate solutions rather than a victim. African leaders also called for $50 billion annually in climate finance reform for adaptation and innovation, including the Africa Climate Innovation Compact.
In an exclusive guest column for allAfrica, Mary Robinson, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Musimbi Kanyoro, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, and Carlijn Nouwen stressed that the era of pledges is over and called for capital, investment, and concrete action to unlock the continent’s vast green potential. “Africa’s green potential is also the world’s best chance of meeting net zero,” the signatories said, urging reforms in global finance and stronger partnerships to translate promises into impact.
