Charting a global path to resilience and sustainability
The COP28 UN Climate Change Conference unfolded in Dubai, marking a crucial moment in addressing global challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss. Dr. Fassil Gebeyehu, ABN’s General Coordinator shares his opinion about COP28.
With over 85,000 participants, including 150 Heads of State and Government, the conference concluded with a decisive ‘global stocktake’ under the Paris Agreement. This revealed sluggish progress in diverse climate action realms, compelling nations to unite with a resolute commitment to hasten transformative measures by 2030, particularly centring on the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
COP28’s trajectory aligns seamlessly with the core philosophy of the African Biodiversity Network (ABN). ABN spotlighted its dedication to enhancing community livelihoods and biodiversity conservation. With operations in 19 countries since its 2002 inception, ABN’s two-decade journey has witnessed an evolution in building community resilience through sustained, nature-friendly initiatives. Aligned with a unity of purpose, ABN engages in global processes, such as participating in the United Nations Conference of the Parties (COPs), to share transformative narratives from the communities, foster collaborations with like-minded parties, influence mindset shifts, and advocate for globally aligned policies.
Shaping the narrative: ABN’s influence on global climate resilience
ABN’s participation in CoP28 extended beyond mere presence, substantively contributing to discussions on climate resilience. ABN’s team shared experiences in seed and agro-ecology, bio-cultural diversity conservation, food sovereignty, and the crucial role of community participation in decision-making, emphasizing youth and women. This active involvement not only amplified visibility but also catapulted ABN’s work onto the global stage, garnering attention during various side events through presentations, and meetings with partners among other stakeholders’ keen on sustainable solutions for mitigating climate change and biodiversity loss.
The outcomes of CoP28, particularly in areas like the Adaptation Fund, Green Climate Fund, and Loss and Damage, resonated profoundly with ABN’s mission. The endorsement of the Adaptation Fund aligned seamlessly with ABN’s commitment to bolstering community and ecosystem resilience. Emphasizing a ‘just transition’ and debt-for-nature swaps mirrored the network’s commitment to achieving low-carbon, resilient, and resource-efficient economies.
Furthermore, the commitment to mobilize $100 billion annually through the Green Climate Fund, with a focus on transitioning away from fossil fuels, aligned harmoniously with ABN’s overarching goals. The acknowledgment of loss and damage caused by climate change, coupled with the operationalization of funding mechanisms, underscored the urgent need to address the climate emergency. ABN extends a warm welcome to collaborations with like-minded donors to scale out sustainable actions across Africa, forging a united front in the battle against climate change and biodiversity loss.
ABN’s interventions on the global stage, particularly in the conservation of bio-cultural diversity, strategically underscored the intricate interplay of nature and indigenous knowledge in building planetary resilience. The network’s steadfast commitment to these principles aligned seamlessly with the surging global momentum catalyzed at CoP28, addressing the interconnected challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and the preservation of indigenous knowledge and practices.
ABN remains committed to championing for sustainable actions towards mitigation of climate change, control of the loss of biocultural diversity on the continent. This steers the course of the communities’ toward resilience and sustainability, paving the way for a better future for all.