Foreign
IN a recent resolution, the UNHCR has expressly acknowledged Loss and Damage and the importance of meaningful engagement at the Glasgow Dialogue. This will have implications for the upcoming vote to be presented by Vanuatu at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
Implications of the United States’ new Climate Law and Africa Strategy for Africa
The US’s Inflation Reduction Act contains some of the most robust climate change provisions in American history. It will likely spur a race to the top in renewable energy technologies and have implications for African exports in critical minerals for these technologies. The US Strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa, which was released around the same time, however, is disappointingly vague on key climate issues, including climate finance.
Kenya’s new president-elect, William Samoei Ruto, on climate change and COP27
Dr William Samoei Ruto, looks likely to become the new president-elect of Kenya. His party has a detailed manifesto on climate change, but critical to its success will be the implementation of Kenya’s already robust climate policy and legal framework. Ahead of COP27, Ruto will need to demonstrate strong leadership on climate issues, and will have to clarify the country’s position on gas adopted in the Kigali Communique and deliver effective leadership through the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change.
Developing counties adopt proactive stance on future carbon markets
Article 6 of the Paris Agreement places greater responsibility for and control over domestic mitigation efforts in the hands of national governments. In response, various developing country governments such as Peru, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia are intervening into their domestic markets to secure locally generated carbon assets to support national climate commitments. This has taken different forms in different countries but most recently includes moratoriums on certain types of projects in Papua New Guinea, and the temporary halting of the issuance of certain credits in Indonesia.
AU releases its climate change and resilient development strategy for the next decade
After a long gestation period, the African Union released its Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy and Action Plan in June this year. Amongst other things, the Strategy places a focus on renewable energy and energy efficiency in achieving the continent’s Just Transition ambitions. In doing so, it forms an important anchor of African political will in the lead up to COP27.
First Meeting of the Article 6.4 Supervisory Body under the Paris Agreement
The initial administrative steps required to kick-start processes under Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement have commenced with the first meeting of the Supervisory Body held between 25 to 28 July 2022, in Bonn, Germany. The newly created Supervisory Body of the Article 6.4 Mechanism has a fundamental role to play in framing the future of the international carbon market. The evolution of the carbon market has direct relevance to African countries, most of which have expressed an intention to rely on Article 6 as part of their NDC implementation plans.
KN
Tags: COP27 Glasgow Dialogue UNHCR William Samoei Ruto
