President William Ruto has called out the countries of the Western world for circumventing and paying deaf ears to regions such as Africa that bear the brunt of climate change.
The head of state further stated that the African continent will have to spend $50 billion (6 trillion) every year in mitigating climate change by 2050; perhaps no action will be taken.
Ruto’s statement came after African representatives to the COP27 in Egypt were startled by the Sunday report from the wealthy countries, who are the biggest carbon emitters globally, that reparations to the poor nations suffering the extreme climate crisis would be made no later than 2024.
“High water stress is estimated to affect about 250 million people in Africa and is expected to displace up to 700 million people by 2030. In the past 50 years, drought-related hazards have claimed the lives of over half a million people and led to economic losses of over $70 billion in the region. More than 1,000 flood-related disasters were reported involving more than 20,000 deaths in Africa over this period,” he said.
“The spread, scale and frequency of disasters like hurricanes, typhoons, wildfires and heat waves, melting sea ice and glaciers, droughts and desertification, floods and rising sea levels, in numerous regions of all continents, indicate that humanity is confronting unprecedented devastation on a global scale,” the Head of State added.
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Based on President William Ruto’s statement while addressing delegates, the African region suffers most in the climate change catastrophe, with Kenya being the most vulnerable country due to the severe drought that has lasted for 40 years.
According to Ruto, Kenya has lost almost 250 million livestock and wildlife heritage from the acute drought experienced, causing a subsequent loss of more than $1.5 billion (Sh181.5 billion).
“Against this backdrop, the lengthy discussions at COPs, with its stalling, delaying tactics and procrastination that have hampered implementation and delivery, is simply cruel and unjust. We cannot afford to spend more time skirting around the real issues and break out of the open-ended, process-focused discussions we are trapped in,” President Ruto noted.
“As we speak, the pledge made 13 years ago in Copenhagen, committing $100 billion (Sh12.1 trillion) annually, remains unfulfilled. Such egregious and unexplained default is a major cause of persisting distrust. Neither is there any sound reason for the continuing pollution,” Dr Ruto said.
The head of state accredited Kenya for being one of the countries with fewer resources in mitigating climate change but extensively investing in clean green energy.
“It must be recalled that Kenya has tremendous hydrocarbon and coal deposits which would go a long way in fuelling the engine of development. Nevertheless, due to resolute commitment, our electricity grid is 93 per cent green.”
“This morning, we signed a framework agreement for collaboration on the development of sustainable green industries in Kenya with an investor to produce green hydrogen in Kenya,” he revealed.
The President unveils the plans that Kenya has put in place for producing 20 GW of wind power and 10 GW of geothermal electricity, considering the high amount of solar energy.
Due to its diverse large tracts of land, natural resources, untapped renewable energy, and innovative plans from trailblazers, the Horn of Africa will have an added advantage in curbing climate change.
“Properly deployed, these assets could be crucial in driving global mitigation efforts, while creating new economic opportunities in the continent.”
“I am convinced of the need to more comprehensively showcase the opportunities that abound in Africa, such as green energy, smart agriculture, de-carbonized manufacturing, e-mobility and green building, all aimed at the attainment of zero carbon by 2050.”
As the coordinator of the Committee of African Heads of State on Climate Change, President William Ruto revealed to the world the plans to convene a continental summit focusing on climate action next year.
“Accordingly, you are all invited to take part in Africa’s march to sustainable economic transformation and green growth. Kenya’s next significant export will be carbon credits.”
Read also: Wanjira Mathai: Climate Finance is the biggest issue at COP 27.
