PARIS — African countries must put climate change at
the heart of post-pandemic recovery efforts, a report by advocacy and
environmental groups said Tuesday, adding green policy investment would boost
the economy and society.
اضافة اعلان
Countries across the continent are particularly exposed to
the effects of a changing climate, including from increases in extreme weather
disasters like floods and droughts.
The report, "Driving a Green and Sustainable
post-COVID-19 Recovery in Africa", said
COVID-19 had "clearly
exacerbated these climate vulnerabilities" by reducing the resources
available to adapt.
"A narrow focus on economic recovery that ignores
climate change and the broader objectives of sustainable development will cost
Africa more economic pain in the long run," it warned.
The report was published by Kenyan think tank Power Shift
Africa, Nigerian environmental NGO Society for Planet and Prosperity, and
Morocco-based advocacy and business development firm Positive Agenda Advisory.
While it acknowledged that climate change is currently a
"marginal consideration" for many African governments, it said some
were already incorporating climate policies into their post-COVID plans.
Nigeria, the report said, aims to install five million
off-grid home solar systems and mini-grids, which it hopes can create up to a
quarter of a million jobs.
"The pandemic is a reset moment, to shift away from
billions of investments in doomed fossil fuels," Mohamed Adow, director of
Power Shift Africa, told AFP.
"Africa is blessed with sun and wind — it must be the
bedrock of our recovery."
With a huge part of the population dependent on farming for
food and income, the report said agriculture investment should be prioritized,
focusing on irrigation, cultivation techniques and improved storage.
It also underscored the importance of international support
to help countries finance measures to cope with climate change.
Richer countries have so far failed to meet a promise to
give climate-vulnerable nations $100 billion a year to draw down emissions and
help adapt to climate impacts.
The issue is set to be a key theme at upcoming United
Nations climate talks in Glasgow.
"We need to build a global solidarity. In the pandemic
as in the climate emergency, no one is safe until everyone is safe," said
Adow.
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