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Low funding a challenge to Africa's climate change mitigation: experts

Xinhua, June 30, 2016 Adjust font size:

Inadequate funding for climate change mitigation action programmes is one of the challenges affecting African nations from effectively addressing the impacts of climate change, say panellists at the second day of the 8th Africa Carbon Forum (ACF) being held in Rwandan capital Kigali.

At a special session on Wednesday, Climate change experts called for increased funding to help the Africa address climate change issues.

"Insufficient financing poses a serious challenge to African nations to enhance and sustain effective adaptation programmes to deal with the adverse effects of climate change," said Bubacar Jallow, principle climate change officer at Gambian ministry of environment and climate change.

He added the funds injected in climate change adaptation mechanisms are little compared to the adverse effects of climate change.

The panel of experts concurred that increased investments from the private sector specifically devoted to adaptation programmes provides the greatest opportunity to combat climate change in Africa.

Gareth Philips, chief climate change and green officer, environment and climate change division at the African Development Bank said that climate change financing is critical for developing countries, and adequate finance is considered the main element required to best respond to climate change.

"Climate change mitigation action programme is coming at high costs, especially to the poor developing nations. African Development Bank is looking at prioritising climate change financing in order to address the adverse effects of climate change in Africa," he stated.

Philips advocated for partnerships and involvement of local communities.

According to climate change experts, the contribution of Africa to global climate change is minimal. However, the combination of certain geographical, economic factors and its dependence on natural resources make the continent most vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.

The ACF kicked off on Tuesday with a wide range of sessions. The three-day high level meeting has brought together more than 500 delegates from Africa and beyond to discuss Africa's road map to sustainable development and shared prosperity and how to turn climate challenges into opportunities. Endit