National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has called for Africa to move beyond declarations on climate change and develop financing mechanisms that make polluters contribute to environmental restoration. He made these remarks when members of the Pan-African Parliament visited Parliament Buildings in Nairobi to discuss the development and implementation of a Model Law on Climate Change for Africa. Wetang’ula emphasized that Africa can no longer approach climate change solely as an international diplomatic issue.
Wetang’ula proposed taxation on the extraction of minerals and other natural resources, with part of the proceeds directed towards climate mitigation, adaptation, environmental restoration, and protection of vulnerable communities. He said Africa's natural-resource wealth should become part of the solution to climate change, calling for stronger continental standards governing resource extraction. This proposal comes amid a widening gap between climate adaptation needs and available financing.
The United Nations Environment Programme estimates that developing countries will require $310 billion to $365 billion annually by 2035 for adaptation, while international public adaptation finance stood at $26 billion in 2023. Wetang’ula called for consideration of an African Climate Change Fund capable of supporting projects that may otherwise depend on unpredictable external financing. He emphasized that African countries should combine domestic budget allocations, resource revenues, and private and development financing with international climate funds.
The PAP delegation backed stronger continental climate-financing mechanisms, including consideration of taxation linked to mineral extraction. PAP Committee on Agriculture Vice-Chairperson Euphreme Outata said African countries needed legislation capable of translating climate commitments into practical action. He called for revenues generated from mineral extraction to be ring-fenced for climate interventions, saying communities most exposed to environmental shocks should benefit.
The PAP Model Law seeks to provide African Union member states with an adaptable framework covering climate governance, mitigation, adaptation, resilience, loss and damage, climate finance, displacement, carbon markets, climate information, compliance, access to justice, and public participation. Wetang’ula also pointed to changes in rural Kenya, saying communities are experiencing unpredictable planting seasons and the disappearance of streams that were once considered permanent.
Wetang’ula said Kenya’s position as host of the United Nations Environment Programme gives it an opportunity to champion stronger African environmental cooperation, including tree-growing and river rehabilitation initiatives. He emphasized that Africa must continue pushing for international climate finance while strengthening its own capacity to fund climate priorities. Wetang’ula said Africa must take charge of its own climate action.
The National Assembly Speaker urged Africans to take collective action to address climate change, saying that there are certain things they can do as Africans before going to the international arena to make their case. He expressed confidence that with a united front, Africans can make a significant impact in the fight against climate change.
Key points
- Africa needs to develop financing mechanisms that make polluters contribute to environmental restoration.
- The proposed African Climate Change Fund could support projects that may otherwise depend on unpredictable external financing.
- Taxation on mineral extraction could provide a source of funding for climate interventions.
