Adequate Financing — the Cornerstone of Fighting Against Climate Change
November 29, 2021
About the author:
Ahcene Boukhelfa, Former Ambassador of Algeria to China
In Europe, North America, and most developed countries, for the majority of the inhabitants and especially the urban dwellers among them, climate change is a rather vague notion that politicians and some environmental activists handle according to circumstances and political deadlines. Scientists also talk about it, but their language is only accessible to a tiny minority.
In Africa and elsewhere, in poor countries in Asia and Latin America, climate change is present in people's lives through its effects: floods, forest fires, droughts, tropical storms, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. These destructive manifestations of nature are becoming more and more frequent. On another note, climate change has disrupted the lives and rhythm of farmers who no longer know when they should plough and sow and when they can harvest. The science or know-how acquired over thousands of years is no longer useful when there is no more winter, spring, summer, and autumn.
At the same time, at major diplomatic conferences devoted to climate change such as the last COP 26, demands for adaptation of the industrial production apparatus as well as reductions in carbon emissions are made to both without great distinction. While many island countries are threatened with outright disappearance as a result of rising ocean waters, the rate of reduction in carbon emissions continues to be discussed. While millions of peasants in Africa and Asia are gambling for their survival, politicians, opinion leaders, and even a few scientists continue to deny the evidence of climate change and what its consequences entail.
This difference in perception, apprehension, and understanding of the phenomenon called climate change is currently the great problem to be solved between a developed world locked in these certainties and a developing world that cannot cope alone with this phenomenon and which is rather suffering the most serious and destructive consequences.
Africa is the least responsible but remains the most exposed to climate change and disasters.
The position of my country Algeria in the fight against climate change, is unchanged since it was expressed in 2015, for the needs of COP21 (Paris, 30 November to 12 December 2015), is articulated around three points:
* Climate ethics (the duties of "historically responsible" countries);
* Climate justice (obligations based on national capacities);
* Climate solidarity (aid to the poorest and most vulnerable countries).
COP26 adopted on Saturday, November 13, 2021, a "Glasgow Pact" intended to accelerate the fight against global warming, but without ensuring to contain it at 1.5 °C or respond to requests for aid from poor countries. While a signed consensus is to be welcomed, it remains at a discount in terms of financial support to vulnerable countries. There have been some announcements for adaptation funding. But the $100 billion a year promised will still not be reached in 2023.
Adequate financing is "the cornerstone" on which all approaches to combating climate change are based. In other words, without financial assistance from developed countries, there is no mitigation among developing countries.
This article is from the November issue of TI Observer (TIO), which is a monthly publication devoted to bringing China and the rest of the world closer together by facilitating mutual understanding and promoting exchanges of views. If you are interested in knowing more about the November issue, please click here:
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