At COP29 in Baku, African leaders are urging wealthier, industrialized nations to pay for the environmental damage they have caused, as rising temperatures and extreme weather patterns increasingly threaten Africa. The African delegates emphasize that rich countries, who contribute most to pollution, should bear the financial burden of mitigating and adapting to climate change in poorer regions.
Barirega Akankwasah, executive director of Uganda’s National Environment Management Authority, highlighted that nations responsible for pollution should finance its cleanup, as they have benefited economically from activities that harm the environment. He stressed the importance of including the full environmental costs in the production process.
Akankwasah is pushing for a clear financial framework to support a “loss and damage” fund. He seeks to ensure that any agreement reached at COP29 establishes operational guidelines for contributions and distribution of funds to affected nations.
Protests were also held in Baku, demanding that polluting nations pay their fair share, with calls for a swift phase-out of fossil fuels. Notably, more than 1,700 lobbyists from the coal, oil, and gas industries were granted access to the summit, sparking additional criticism from environmental advocates.
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