The commitment is part of a Regional Climate Strategy to set regional mitigation and adaptation targets for 2030, with a review planned for 2050, according to regional union, Ecowas
The leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a regional, political and economic union of west African countries, are planning to earmark $294 billion over the next 10 years to fight against climate change.
The commitment was part of a Regional Climate Strategy (RCS) to set regional mitigation and adaptation targets for 2030, with a review planned for 2050, according to a statement by ECOWAS.
The 15 ministers of environment of ECOWAS member states met April 29, 2022, under the chairmanship of Kwaku Afriyie, the Ghanaian minister for environment, science, technology and innovation and validated the ECOWAS RCS.
The 15 members of the ECOWAS are Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.
Africa carries the heaviest burden of associated climate change effects, despite contributing less than five per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Emissions from ECOWAS countries represent 1.8 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. All ECOWAS countries emit on average less than one tonne of carbon dioxide per capita per year.
In west Africa, the increase in temperature, the main climatic hazard, is 1.5 times higher than at the global level. Nine of the 30 most vulnerable countries in the world are in the region.
Up to 32 million people, the equivalent of Ghana’s population, might be compelled to move internally by 2050 if countries do not take concrete and immediate climate and development action. This is according to a report by Groundswell West Africa, a part of non-profit Groundswell International.
ECOWAS is already active in the fight against climate change through several sectors such as energy, agriculture, livestock, water, infrastructure, health, climate services and disaster risk management.
The RCS contains sectoral objectives for adaptation and contribution to climate change mitigation by a multi sectoral approach like transport, agriculture, energy, land use, water, health etc.
ECOWAS intends to intervene in three fields of action within the framework of the RCS. They are:
The RCS calls for the cooperation of regional institutions, the 15 member states of ECOWAS, their partners and civil society actors. The purpose of the RCS is to engage its member states to facilitate the implementation of their climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.