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Nairobi, Kenya | URN | Climate experts from Africa are meeting in neighbouring Kenya for the 10th Africa Carbon Forum which among others is discussing funding for Climate-related disasters.
The Forum which opened this morning has brought together state and non-state actors in the areas of energy, agriculture and human settlements towards the goals of sustainable development.
The Forum under the theme; “Climate Action for Sustainable Development: Driving Change in Africa” comes amidst calls on African countries including Uganda, to establish own climate funding mechanisms. Kenya is among the few African countries that have enacted Climate Change laws and generated its own funds to cater for climate change disasters.
Charles Mutai, the Director of Climate Change at Kenya’s Ministry of Environment in a statement ahead of the Forum said the increased climate change vulnerability causes huge burdens in the continent. He said there is a need for homegrown funding mechanism within Africa to enable them to build own resilience mechanisms instead of depending on foreign funding mechanisms that are hard to access.
The countries have traditionally been funded under the Clean Development Mechanism of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) funds have not been easily accessed because of the tight funding regulations.
Also on the agenda is how Africa can access needed technologies need for adaption to climate change under the United Nations Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN). Uganda is the Eastern regional host of Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN).
Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) Director Jukka Uosukainen in a statement said “Africa is facing increasing challenges from changing weather patterns, increasing droughts and extreme rain and floods that have an impact on the security of food supplies.
The Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) promotes the development and transfer of clean technologies and provides developing countries with access to free technology solutions at their request by mobilizing relevant technology experts from a global network of more than 400 technology companies and institutions to design and deliver customized solutions.
Over 100 technology transfers are currently underway in more than 75 countries for sectors ranging from agriculture and energy to industry and transportation.
Jukka Uosukainen said most African countries have chosen clean energy technologies as a part of their environmental solutions. The solutions are funded by The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) Uosukainen said most of the countries have developed their technology roadmap after experiencing the impact of climate change.
He said the countries have continued to ask for technological support based on their priorities. “A lot is being done, best practices are being shared with support from other countries and companies,” he added.
