African leaders must be firm and united, prioritising the needs of the African people in their demands ahead of COP30.
By Ibrahim Khalilulahi Usman, Africa Communications Associate, GAIA Africa
The 2nd Africa Climate Summit (ACS2), a major climate conference held every two years by African Union member states under the auspices of the African Union Commission (AUC), is underway in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
African heads of state and government, global leaders, development partners, civil society representatives, private sector actors, researchers, climate champions, and members of academia are participating in this three-day event under the theme “Accelerating Global Climate Solutions: Financing for Africa’s Resilient and Green Development.”
ACS2’s focus is on two key priorities: showcasing Africa-led solutions in renewable energy, adaptation, green growth, and nature-based resilience; and unlocking climate finance by advocating for fair, predictable, and scaled-up resources to meet Africa’s priorities. The summit is also expected to yield several significant outcomes, including the Addis Ababa Declaration, which will present a unified African voice ahead of COP30 in Brazil.
While we acknowledge this effort, GAIA Africa, together with grassroots environmental organisations across the continent, believes that ACS2 should not be just another event of “All Talk, No Action.” African leaders must be firm and united, prioritising the needs of the African people in their demands ahead of COP30.
The urgency is undeniable; African countries are on the frontlines of the climate crisis and highly vulnerable to its impacts. Not only are our economies tied to climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture, but our adaptive capacity has been deliberately underfunded, and unjust global systems have left our governance structures weakened. Africa faces a disproportionate burden from climate change, despite being the least responsible for the crisis.
The continent is experiencing temperature increases faster than the global average, leading to severe impacts such as drought, flooding, and the spread of climate-sensitive diseases like malaria. These challenges threaten both food security and overall development. 9 out of the 10 world’s most vulnerable nations are located in Africa, according to the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN Index).
The countries include Chad, the Central African Republic, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Niger, Zimbabwe, and Liberia, which are already being pushed to the brink.
What’s needed is not more empty talk, but an urgent just transition with adaptation plans that protect people, not profits.
As such, we want to see the following issues prioritised by heads of state as the summit commences:
Circular Economy: Heads of state should promote policies and practices that focus on the 7 Rs of waste management (Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Repurpose, and Recycle.) particularly emphasising reuse.
Organic Waste Management: Effective policies should be implemented to support the source separation of waste, as well as effective collection, recycling, and composting of organic waste to reduce GHG emissions and help the informal sector across the economic value chain.
Submission of NDCs for 2031–2035: The African Union, as the organiser of the summit, should encourage governments to submit ambitious and timely Nationally Determined Contributions that specifically address the role of waste management in achieving national climate goals ahead of COP30.
Just Transition: The summit should ensure that climate actions create equitable opportunities and protect workers and communities, leaving no one behind while avoiding false solutions that are harmful to people and the planet. Climate action strategies should focus on waste management value chains and uphold environmental justice principles, rejecting the burning of waste for energy, greenwashing, and waste colonialism while promoting the inclusion of waste pickers and the creation of green jobs.
It is important to note that ACS2 serves as an opportunity to be a space where movements, governments, and allies come together to forge genuine, accountable partnerships that deliver justice for communities on the frontlines.
While there are high expectations from the summit, the realities on the ground across Africa serve as a reminder that any proposed action or policy must benefit these impacted groups.
As Thomas Sankara declared, “We must choose between champagne for a few, or safe drinking water for all”.
ENDS.
