ASHENEWS reports that Amnesty International (AI) has suggested that richer countries, who are responsible for global warming must agree to pay to address the devastating impacts of climate change on poorer nations.
AI, in a statement issued on Monday, lamented that African countries were suffering devastating consequences despite contributing little to global warming.
Following this situation, the organization argues that these countries must during the upcoming COP29 climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, meet their obligations to prevent further displacement, address human rights impacts, and support a rapid transition away from fossil fuels.
The organization also demanded substantial increase in funding for the international Fund for Loss and Damage, which currently stands at less than $700 million of the $400 billion projected as necessary for low-income countries to manage climate damage by 2030.
According to AI, annual adaptation costs in sub-Saharan Africa alone are estimated at $30-50 billion, underlining the severe funding shortfall.
“They must also fully fund African governments’ adaptation measures to prevent further forced displacement, stop human rights violations and help them achieve a fast and fair phaseout of fossil fuel production and use.
“These same countries must then follow up on their agreement by urgently financing the Fund for responding to Loss and Damageopens in a new tab, the main international fund addressing climate change’s unavoidable harms,” the statement said.
Amnesty International stressed that beyond pledges, financing must be distributed equitably to ensure that affected African communities have direct access to support.
It added that international financial bodies should provide debt relief to African nations to help fund adaptation efforts.
“The climate crisis in Africa is here, destroying lives and livelihoods. Empty promises won’t suffice—wealthy nations must take responsibility and commit fully to Africa’s needs. Our continent can’t wait any longer,” the statement quoted Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa.
