Africa’s first-ever climate change summit was held on September 6th – 8th September 2023 under the theme ‘Driving Green Growth and Climate Finance Solutions in Africa and the World, a significant win for the continent. Africa is known to be the continent that has been most devastated by the effects of climate change and has had the most minor initiatives towards climate change. For the first time in decades, African heads of state and government gathered in Nairobi to formally take a position on a matter central to all of them – climate change. We all know that the aim is for us to fight to improve climate change and restore the earth to its previous glory.

Putting this in mind, there have been two extremes to climate change that have eaten the continent’s core over the past years. Reports have been shared that Africa is mainly affected by drought and flooding which have affected Africans on many fronts. Mr William Ruto, the Chairman of the African Union’s Committee of Heads of State and Government on Climate Change, said his government decided to partner with the African Union and other key stakeholders to host the summit as part of efforts towards forging a common front for the continent in the quest for climate justice.

African countries are at risk of facing continued burdens and threats arising from climate change-related, unpredictable weather events and patterns. Prolonged droughts are expected, as devastating floods, and wild/forest fires, which will cause massive humanitarian crises with detrimental impacts on economies, health, education, peace, and security for many countries within the continent. 

Despite the conference being held under the cover of being chaired by Africa, there was considerable attendance from Western officials from the European Union and the United States. During the conference, it was discussed that Africa currently believes it is indebted to the developed countries due to the high impact of climate change on the continent. However, this was quite an unfortunate assessment given that the Western nations from countries like the USA to China possess a larger carbon footprint than Africa. In response to these facts, President Yoweri Museveni declined to attend the conference giving the reason that it would be disrespectful to be lectured by the very nations that plunged the rest of the world into the crisis we fight against every day. This is a valid argument however it does not negate the fact that it remains a collective responsibility of various nations to fight to heal our world from the effects of climate change and not place blame.

Of course, one of the major calls to action points is for African countries to move from hydrocarbon energy to renewable energy. A great initiative however we must accept that such a move can only be achieved gradually rather than immediately.

We cannot pursue climate action through insular, solitary policies. Global warming cannot be mitigated by air-conditioning our little pockets and corners of the world.

-William Ruto