'Loss and Damage'
African Group of Negotiators
The African Group of Negotiators (AGN) is a coalition of African nations that work together to advocate for and negotiate issues related to climate change and sustainable development at international forums, particularly during United Nations conferences such as the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Stance on 'Loss and Damage'
To practically implement the necessary climate measures, the African Group of Negotiators (AGN) is focused on procuring an abundant amount of funds for projects that make a difference. Notably, the AGN will likely make clear during COP29 that the Global North should not only be aware of its responsibility for contributing to the climate crisis in Africa, it should also dully allocate sufficient funding for the continent.
The recent United Nations climate meeting in Bonn, made clear that many African states are frustrated by the lack of funds which were promised to them by more rich Northern countries. Thus, we can expect that the AGN will press for a more predictable and just funding structure during COP29.
A major topic regarding funding is the Loss and Damage initiative. With ever-increasing climate disasters plaguing Africa, the AGN wants more funds to be directed towards the restoration of forests, helping displaced peoples, and to support many more unfortunate victims.[3] Africa Advocacy Advisor Jack Odiwa stresses that the AGN at COP29 needs to be heard, so that big polluters: ‘‘(…) are going to pay to clean up their mess.’’
Fun fact: While the necessity of a ‘Loss and Damage’ fund was acknowledged during 2007 at COP13, countries only reached a comprehensive agreement about implementing the fund 15 years later at COP27 in 2022
Further Reading
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Markiewicz, Victoria, Praise Gandah, and Nicholas Micinski. “Who Speaks for Africa at COP? Power and Politics at the UN Climate Negotiations.” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, July 11, 2024. https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2024/06/who-speaks-for-africa-at-cop-power-and-politics-at-the-un-climate-negotiations?lang=en.
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Nuñez Ramos, Sarahi, and Matteo De Felice. “COP27: The Past, the Present and the Future of Loss and Damage Compensation.” Rabobank, December 22, 2022. https://www.rabobank.com/knowledge/d011337310-cop27-the-past-the-present-and-the-future-of-loss-and-damage-compensation.
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Omondi, Ferdinand. “COP29: The Finance COP Must Deliver for Africa – a Call to Action for African Negotiators - Greenpeace Africa.” Greenpeace Africa, September 19, 2024. https://www.greenpeace.org/africa/en/press/56404/cop29-the-finance-cop-must-deliver-for-africa-a-call-to-action-for-african-negotiators/.
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Rumble, Olivia. “African Group of Negotiators Put Forward COP29 Positions.” African Climate Wire, August 30, 2024. https://africanclimatewire.org/2024/08/african-group-of-negotiators-put-forward-cop29-positions/.
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United Nations Climate Change. “June UN Climate Meetings (SB 60),” June 13, 2024. https://unfccc.int/sb60.
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View(s) from Africa. “‘Patience is running out’: Did Bonn make progress on climate finance?” African Arguments, June 17, 2024. https://africanarguments.org/2024/06/patience-is-running-out-did-bonn-make-progress-on-climate-finance/.
Further Reading
Michele Zandri, Hessel Wilders, Marjon Bodha.
