African lawmakers push for a binding climate treaty in Paris

Lawmakers drawn from Sub-Saharan African countries on Wednesday resolved to rally the international community towards adoption of a new treaty to halt emissions of climate altering gases.

The lawmakers who met at a summit in Nairobi adopted a common position that urges multilateral agencies, industry and civil society to back a legally binding climate treaty.

In his opening remarks, President Uhuru Kenyatta stressed that a new climate deal is an imperative to enable African countries adapt to a phenomenon blamed for recurrent droughts, flooding and virulent epidemics.

"Africa must speak in voice as we head to Paris where a new climate deal will be adopted. We stand to gain immensely from the new pact since the continent has borne the brunt of climate change impacts," Kenyatta told lawmakers.

During the meeting, the legislators will explore how they can use this position to transform the extractives and renewable energy sectors through legislation, regulation and scrutiny.

The lawmakers from Kenya, Cameroon, Nigeria, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Zambia and Britain will gain knowledge and share examples of success and best practice in parliamentary action on energy and sustainable development, with experts from the private sector, civil society and international organizations.

African political leaders, policymakers and green advocates are united in the push for a fair and legally binding deal that will help stabilize global temperatures.

Kenyatta said African presidents attending the Paris summit will lobby for increased financing, technology transfer and capacity building to enhance the continent's resilience in the face of climate change.

"Our primary objective is to realize the adoption of a new climate deal that commit developed world to drastically halt emissions and extend technical and financial support to poor countries that have borne the brunt of a changing climate," Kenyatta said.

The meeting sought to highlight the continent's position ahead of Paris climate talks.

He added there is political commitment to fight climate change in Africa as scientific evidence points at a perilous future if the continent fails to act timely.

"Though climate change is a global challenge, it dims Africa's future the most hence the need to intensify action on this challenge," Kenyatta said.

He emphasized that robust policy and regulatory instruments alongside multi-stakeholder engagement are crucial to strengthen climate response in Africa.

Africa contributes a partly 3 percent of the global green house gas emissions yet has suffered immensely from climate change impacts like severe droughts, flooding and biodiversity loss.

The President of Pan African Parliament Roger Nkodo said tough legislation, community awareness alongside investments in adaptation and mitigation projects is crucial to enhance climate resilience in Africa.

"It is our hope that Paris summit will deliver a deal that caters for the interests of the most vulnerable people in Africa. As lawmakers, we have a moral obligation to ensure that objective is realized," Nkodo said.

Among the issues to discussed is how Africa can benefit from increased opportunities for businesses that manage risks associated with climate change, and increased opportunities for participation in carbon markets and other clean development mechanism projects. Endit