Climate justice Campaigners say emissions reductions are not enough as they answer one part of the puzzle to achieve climate action.
The remarks follow the announcement by the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the United Nations Conference of Parties (CoP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan that Britain will cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 81 percent by 2035 as they are “committed to a more ambitious climate goal.”
This development follows last month’s Britain’s climate advisers, the Committee on Climate Change (CCC), which recommended to the country’s government to commit to reducing the emissions in its upcoming budget in November.
Starmer told a press conference that they are building on their reputation as a climate leader, with the UK’s 2035 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) target to reduce all greenhouse emissions by at least 81 percent on 1990 levels.
While commending the UK for bringing the Paris Agreement mechanism to uphold the 1.5 degrees Celsius to life and sending correct signals to international allies, businesses and industries that they are committed to tackling the climate crisis and quickening the transition to a low-carbon economy, the campaigners believe that Starmer will not be able to create microclimate over Britain by simply announcing the emissions reductions.
Power Shift Africa executive director, Mohamed Adow, said climate change is an international challenge demanding global solutions that, among others, help the global south to decarbonise.
He said: “At this CoP, we need to see funding on the table to meet the needs of the vulnerable communities and accelerate the energy transition. Only when emissions are falling around the world will we all be safe. We need a new grants-based commitment from the UK that results in cash reaching those in need. Not just numbers on spreadsheets. The victims of droughts and floods urgently need support. At the same time, countries looking to develop and sustain their infrastructure cannot wait any longer.”
Green Faith Africa program manager, Pius Oko, said to uphold the 1.5 degrees Celsius target, the biggest emitters at CoP29 must commit to clear, actionable pathways to phase out fossil fuels, not
rhetoric.
Africa Movement Building Space coordinator, Omar Elmawi, said the commitment is a step in the right direction, but the world must address the climate finance deficit.
He said: “The global south is calling for no less than $5 trillion in climate finance to address the debt owed to us for the ecological damage caused. The UK must also demonstrate leadership by committing to pay its fair share of this vital support.
Starmer also said his government will honour the £11.6 billion climate finance commitment the previous Conservative government made, by March 2026.
It has taken 32 years for the rich world to recognise and support the commitment to provide for developing countries. Nine years after the Paris Agreement was signed, the parties are yet to agree on a quantum of climate finance that Africa pegs at $1.3 trillion per year between 2024 and 2030 to meet the needs of developing countries.
Source: The nation-Temwa Mhone-correspondent in Baku, Azerbaijan-14 November 2024