According to John Kerry, the US’s special presidential envoy for climate change, there is no time to blame anyone for climate change.
Instead, he argued, efforts should concentrate on halting climate change without neglecting the continent.
While the first Africa Climate Change Summit was taking place, Kerry spoke at a news conference during the ongoing Climate Change Week.
Africa has contributed the least amount of any region in the globe over the last two decades, 3.4% to 3.9%, to global glasshouse gas emissions. However, the continent is probably going to suffer the most from climate change.
Kerry believes that blaming others is unacceptable, regardless of how large or small their carbon footprint is.
“Mother Nature doesn’t choose between the emissions of one country and those of another. What affects Mother Nature is the total emissions that go into the atmosphere,” he said.
Richer nations have been pressured by less developed nations to take responsibility for their historical emissions, although the US does not support this.
“This is not a unique position for the United States and many nations in the world. We have said we are not going to create a liability structure…” Kerry said.
The mistake to avoid, he added, was leaving Africa behind because the continent was “disproportionately affected by the climate crisis”.
As a result, Kerry stated that the US would “help half a billion people in developing countries, especially in Africa, adapt to the worst impacts of this crisis this decade” through President Joe Biden’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience (PREPARE), which is coordinated by USAID and the Department of State.
However, the plan won’t be successful unless African leaders give it top emphasis as well.
Thus, starting in 2024, the US is expected to provide more than R57 billion annually through PREPARE.
“[President Joe Biden is] committed to work with Congress to provide $3 billion for adaptation by 2024, the largest commitment in US history.
“And it is why we are working with partners on the transitional committee this year to design an effective fund to help vulnerable developing countries respond to loss and damage,” said Kerry.
Under PREPARE, he added, the US would also avail more than R570 million to accelerate climate-resilient food security efforts across Africa.
“First, we will provide $20 million to the Africa Adaptation Initiative for the Food Security Accelerator, which will invest in African agricultural businesses and help them create their own independent and climate-resilient supply chains.
“Second, $10 million will go to the Climate Resilience and Adaptation Finance and Technology Transfer Facility to scale technologies advancing adaptation like cold chain storage, which help maintain the quality and safety of food from the farm all the way into peoples’ homes,” he added.
In contrast, Kenyan President William Ruto advocated a carbon tax in his opening remarks at the Climate modify Summit. This tax will modify people’s spending and investment habits, ensuring that economic growth is compatible with climate protection.
