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Good afternoon. My name is Alan Amaku Jadu from Ghana and we are working on a project like Nairas mentioned called the Young African Innovate. We are working with UNDP as lead and with funding from MasterCard Foundation. For us at Greenwood Africa, we believe that Africans are capable. So we believe in giving Africans the opportunity to bring solutions to the climate crisis that we face, especially in Africa. Greenwood Africa facilitates sushi, economic, environmental and technological. Development particularly amongst Airband, Peri Airband and then poor communities in Africa. And on this project what we are doing is to scout for young innovators in rural areas. It's typical innovators who are finding solutions to the climate crisis we face. Then we give them opportunities to test their ideas, give them opportunities to develop them and then also skill them to be able to increase their solutions to reach wider audience. Before I go into. The presentation I just want to give you some facts that helped in designing the project for us. What you see here is facts that affected the design of the project. When you come to Ghana, currently our population sits around 34.4 million and out of the 34.4 million / 50% are youth or young people with 36% between the ages of 30 and then 14 for us in Africa. The statistics points at the potential of the African youth. Because if more than 50% of the population is below 30, then it means that there's a lot of potential for that kind of population. Because we know with youth camps passion, with youth camp dedication and with youth camps drive. So that is one of the ideologies behind this Young African innovative projects to give power to the youth, to empower the youth to bring about solutions. In our studies, we gathered that out of the 50 / 50% of the population that is. Youthful, only 7% were involved in climate innovation. For us that's very worrying because if out of over 50 people and only 7% is involved in climate innovation, it means that there's a lot that needs to be done on the continent and then in the country as Ghana. So that is how come the Young African Innovative project came about with leadership from UNDP and sponsorship from MasterCard Foundation. What we do is we scout to the remotest of areas we look for. Young people who are doing innovative stuff but have little attention, that is really the focus. We're not looking for innovators from the likes of Silicon Valley and those big, big, big kind of innovators. We are looking for innovators who are finding their own local solutions to their challenges they face. Some of these innovators are like has already been shared using solar to, you know, power agriculture, you know, that's irrigation farming and what have you. So what we do as part of this project is to organize. Boot camps and trainings After scouting for these young innovators in remote areas, we organize boot camps for them. Then through their boot camps, they go through something because page kids. So the project has been structured into stage 1, stage 2, stage Gate 3. Depending on the level they they had, we give them funding ranging from 5000 to $100, 000 to try their ideas, to test them and make them market ready. And for me where I come from 100,000. Unless they have a lot of money for young people, visitors, because most of these people are in very rural areas, they lack education, some of them have not been set foot in classrooms, some of them cannot speak English. But they are finding their own innovative ways to the climate crisis that we face. And for us that is very innovative. So they go through their boot camps, we give them their grants and we tailor their solutions to ensure they are scientifically proven they are, they are relevant enough for the challenges that we face and. That is what we've been doing over the past year. As I as we talk about climate change, our own emphasize that in Ghana, where we come from, the subject of climate change is very big. We are big on climate change because you'll find that climate change affects the vulnerable groups in Ghana, vulnerable communities. What climate change does is to identify the needs of the community and find a skillful way of depriving the community of the very things they need. So you find communities that need just water. Water for healthcare, water for agriculture, water for food. Then climate change will present to them. Droughts will present to them. Drought that is causing farming, drought that is causing malnutrition, droughts that is just impoverishing the communities. You'll find another community that has some bit of water, but they just need some little sunshine. Then climate change presents to them flooding, Flooding that is affecting their livelihoods, flooding that is destroying infrastructure. Destroying their homes and what our view and for these communities it is very important to mention that the lost and damaged they face is not just the infrastructure or their livelihoods they have affected, but the non economic losses that the the fees as a result of the climate impacts that they are exposed to. Some of these areas that experience flooding used to be their dwelling place of gods, their gods of their land. They believe those places housed their ancestral heritage. They believe those places have gods. They have affinities to so if there's loss and damage in areas like that, it goes deep down aside infrastructure or aside things we can see for them. If you provide any form of resettlements to them, you've done good but you've done good to them. But the impact is deeper because they are non economic. I wouldn't want to talk much. I just want to highlight a few things about the project we are doing in Ghana and the focus. Power on this project. So these are some of the people who've impacted with the project. The project keenly focuses on vulnerable people, keenly focused on atypical people, people who are in remote areas, people who do not have access to education, people who do not have access to technology. Some of these people do not even have digital phones to access the Internet. But they are finding innovative ways of responding to the climate crisis that we face. There are a number of things I wanted to share, but because of time, I didn't want to talk. These are just a few highlights of some of the people we are working with and this is just a partner appreciation to some of the stakeholders we are working with, the leadership of UNDP and sponsorship from the MasterCard Foundation. I'll leave it here for my other panelists to continue. I'm sure after the Assam are innovators who will touch on some other things. Thank you.
We are a consortium of more than 1000 organisations from 51 African countries that brings together a diverse membership drawn from Grassroots, CBOs, FBOs.
At #KeepYourPromises Campaign action in Nairobi, Kenya, hosted by The KENYA PLATFORM FOR CLIMATE GOVERNANCE (PACJA-Kenya), representing Kenyan CSOs, presented a strong position advocating for climate finance mechanisms that empower grassroots action in Africa’s most vulnerable communities to Amb. Ali Mohammed- Kenya’s Special Envoy for Climate Change and Chairman of the African Group of Negotiators
The Position paper served as a Civil Society Statement of Expectations from COP29 later in Baku, Azerbaijan in November. COP29, now known as the "Climate Finance COP," provides a historic opportunity to reshape climate finance policies, focusing on adaptation and resilience in developing nations. Kenyan CSOs are calling for a New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG) that centers on marginalized populations, particularly women, youth, and Indigenous groups, who are leading climate adaptation efforts.
Amb. Mohammed- Kenya’s Special Envoy for Climate Change and Chairman of the African Group of Negotiators highlighted the need for African representation in climate finance, urging a shift from a culture of aid to meaningful development.
Africa has the resources to drive its climate future, as reaffirmed by the inaugural African Climate Summit held under H.E. President William Ruto in Nairobi.
Attached is an excerpt from the COP29 position document of Kenyan Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)
#ClimateFinance#ClimateAction#AfricaClimateSummit#SustainableDevelopment#COP29
Together, with a united and unwavering voice, we can close the finance gap and build a climate-resilient Africa. Join the movement—support African-led climate adaptation.
#ClimateAction#AfricaAdaptation#ClimateFinance
It's been three months since COP28, yet the discussions and decisions from the event remain crucial for years ahead.
I've fully embraced my role in Africa, driven by a mission to channel climate financing into the continent. And the small testament of it is now available to see closer.
I had the honour of moderating a panel titled "Private Capital's Role and Opportunities in Africa's Climate Resilience Revolution" at the Estonian pavilion in Dubai.
This panel united three powerhouse women from across the globe, highlighting the collective efforts to improve our world.
Africa, home to 27 of the most climate-vulnerable countries, faces significant land degradation challenges.
I deeply admire the insights shared by:
Smita Sanghrajka of the Mastercard Foundation Fund for Resilience and Prosperity and Partner at KPMG International Development Advisory Services in East Africa;
Sheri (Houston) Hickok, CEO of Climate Impact Partners, with her extensive experience in the voluntary carbon market;
and Nassima Sadar-Gravier, an Obama Leader and CEO of AfroClimate, dedicated to addressing climate change in low-income African communities.
For those who just want to have a "golden nugget". Conclusion: "Building Climate Resilience is a Global Responsibility".
PS: Nassima, I'm in your country now while texting. Let's catch up to explore further actions to raise awareness about climate issues and Africa.
Check out the executive summary and video recording of the panel discussion, link in the comments.
#cop28#1MTN#ClimateFinance#BillionsNeeded
AfDB Launches Climate Action Window to Boost Resilience in Africa
At #COP29 in Azerbaijan, the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) unveiled the #ClimateActionWindow (CAW) Technical Assistance Facility, aimed at tackling climate challenges in 37 low-income African nations.
Key Details:
✅ Funding Pool: With an initial $56 million, CAW focuses on adaptation (75%), mitigation (15%), and technical assistance (10%) projects, supporting efforts aligned with the Paris Agreement, #NationallyDeterminedContributions (NDCs), and #NationalAdaptationPlans (NAPs).
✅Grant Opportunities: Governments, NGOs, UN agencies, and regional organizations can apply for grants ranging from $260,000 to $1.3 million until February 2025.
✅Global Partnerships: Collaborations with Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Global Environment Facility (GEF) enhance its impact.
-The initiative has already identified 80 projects worth $800 million, with 41 funded. Donors like the UK, Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland are backing #CAW.
-African leaders like Côte d’Ivoire’s Konan Jacques Assahoré and Chad’s Fatima Haram praised the initiative’s potential to protect vulnerable communities.
-Kevin KARIUKI, #AfDB’s Vice President for Power, Energy, and Climate Change, emphasized its role in helping countries meet climate goals while driving sustainable development.
Here is more: https://lnkd.in/dh3rYQ9q#COP29#ClimateFinance#AfDB#Africa
From COP29 Azerbaijan
Let's talk about #ParisAgreement weaknesses & incoherences.
This is for African #Climate#decision-makers & Leaders (and maybe some others from developing world as they see needed for their national interests...) on the Paris Agreement, that is in fact, more a "Climate #Transparency#Agreement", than a #ClimateAction one.
Let's start with:
1- #Africa Special Climate Circumstances and Needs:
Paris Agreement (PA) recognizes only LDCs & SIDSs' special climate circumstances and needs.
It doesn't recognize special climate circumstances & needs of #Africa (neither the rest of #developing countries), as if:
- Climate impacts and consequences have boarders or don't cross boarders; or
- LDCs will never graduate and become "Developing countries"!
This is why the #AGN (African Group of Negotiators), is keeping pushing to have only an "Agenda Item" on the issue (a space where to discuss), since 2016, to see if the PA will recognize Africa Circumstances! Nothing as of today!
This non recognition is from political and economic perspectives, enshrined in the Paris Agreement, while the #UNFCCC Convention, perfectly recognize it, under its Article 4.
From "Climate Science" perspective, through IPCC reports mainly, and other technical & scientific sources, climate circumstances and needs of Africa and All African countries are widely and legally recognized.
The questions for African leaders are:
- Why African developing countries are still / remain Parties to a United Nations treaty that does not recognize their climate circumstances and needs (since PA is differentiating between African developing countries and African LDCs)?
- Why don't they withdraw from the Paris Agreement & continue using only the UNFCCC #Convention, as it recognizes their climate needs and circumstances?
Developing countries' African Leaders need to seriously think about this, as involvement in the Paris Agreement will affect their socio-economic and sustainable development, and their development space in the near and mid-term future...
(next issue will be: 2- #NCQG)
African UnionAfrican Development Bank GroupAfrica Adaptation InitiativePACJACIAGNES AfricaAfricans RisingAMCEN SECRETARIATUnited NationsEcole nationale d'Administration (ENA DZ)Ennahar TVEl WatanEl Hayat TVMinistère Affaires EtrangèresPower Shift AfricaAfrican Union Development Agency-NEPADTunisian Young Climate Change Negotiators group
Kamal Djemouai I have followed the push for Africa’s recognition of their special needs and can't help but wonder why the entire continent can’t come together and negotiate as one team without the variation of either under African developing states, African LDCs, or African SIDs. Of course I understand there is the geopolitics of the groups negotiating stream formation, but is it not time Africa maybe, through the African Union, pushed for a seat at the table to ensure the continent gets what it needs as a continent of 1.5 billion people - if it must stay within the UNFCCC process? After all, there are about 33 African LDCs, which of course someday will graduate from the status, and about 6 African SIDs?.
From COP29 Azerbaijan
Let's talk about #ParisAgreement weaknesses & incoherences.
This is for African #Climate#decision-makers & Leaders (and maybe some others from developing world as they see needed for their national interests...) on the Paris Agreement, that is in fact, more a "Climate #Transparency#Agreement", than a #ClimateAction one.
Let's start with:
1- #Africa Special Climate Circumstances and Needs:
Paris Agreement (PA) recognizes only LDCs & SIDSs' special climate circumstances and needs.
It doesn't recognize special climate circumstances & needs of #Africa (neither the rest of #developing countries), as if:
- Climate impacts and consequences have boarders or don't cross boarders; or
- LDCs will never graduate and become "Developing countries"!
This is why the #AGN (African Group of Negotiators), is keeping pushing to have only an "Agenda Item" on the issue (a space where to discuss), since 2016, to see if the PA will recognize Africa Circumstances! Nothing as of today!
This non recognition is from political and economic perspectives, enshrined in the Paris Agreement, while the #UNFCCC Convention, perfectly recognize it, under its Article 4.
From "Climate Science" perspective, through IPCC reports mainly, and other technical & scientific sources, climate circumstances and needs of Africa and All African countries are widely and legally recognized.
The questions for African leaders are:
- Why African developing countries are still / remain Parties to a United Nations treaty that does not recognize their climate circumstances and needs (since PA is differentiating between African developing countries and African LDCs)?
- Why don't they withdraw from the Paris Agreement & continue using only the UNFCCC #Convention, as it recognizes their climate needs and circumstances?
Developing countries' African Leaders need to seriously think about this, as involvement in the Paris Agreement will affect their socio-economic and sustainable development, and their development space in the near and mid-term future...
(next issue will be: 2- #NCQG)
African UnionAfrican Development Bank GroupAfrica Adaptation InitiativePACJACIAGNES AfricaAfricans RisingAMCEN SECRETARIATUnited NationsEcole nationale d'Administration (ENA DZ)Ennahar TVEl WatanEl Hayat TVMinistère Affaires EtrangèresPower Shift AfricaAfrican Union Development Agency-NEPADTunisian Young Climate Change Negotiators group
🌍 Kulthoum Omari, AAI Special Adviser, took the stage as a key speaker during a panel discussion on X Space, hosted by Power Shift Africa. The discussion focused on the crucial topic of Financing Africa’s Adaptation, where Kulthoum delivered an insightful overview of the current adaptation landscape. Her powerful opening statement set the tone for a vibrant and impactful conversation that captivated over 700 listeners. 🌱
"This is really the finance COP (COP29) and as you know we are discussing that New Climate Finance Goal (NCQG) this year. For Africa, the NCQG must be based on needs and not a random number as we have previously done in the past, and so Africa has been very clear about a quantum of 1.3 trillion USD to developing countries per annum by 2030. This quantum is informed by needs. Now on adaptation, we have the global goal on Adaptation and we have established some targets, thematic targets as well as what we call the dimensional targets. However what we don’t have is means of implementation attached to those targets, so for example the target on agriculture and food security, what will it cost for developing countries to achieve that target. This is a key priority for Africa and I hope that actors from Africa and beyond can support us."
GIZ African Union#COP29#Baku#ClimateFinance#ClimateAdaptation#Africa#ClimateChange#Food#Security
Our continent has ambitious energy transition goals that require massive investment to counter the pressing impact of climate change. Tshepidi Moremong is on the ground at #COP29Azerbaijan and will engage key stakeholders around Africa’s climate financing needs. She will join the “Mobilizing Climate Finance for the Global South” panel on Finance Day, the “Climate action roundtable: Aligning Impact – Sustainable Finance Partnerships in the Global North and South”, and a Business Breakfast by 🇺🇬 Uganda Development Bank.
These conversations come at a critical time as #African countries are heavily impacted by climate change. #Africa50 is driving the Africa-led Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa (AGIA), working to rapidly scale up financing.
#COP29#COP29Azerbaijan#ClimateFinance#Africa50#SustainableDevelopment#ClimateChange
Financial Markets | Investments | Project Management
1hGreat job Allan Amoako-Gyedu 👏🏾👏🏾