Partnership forum for integrated action on air pollution and climate change in Africa

Background

Africa has set up a development trajectory that is founded on climate resilient low emission policies, legislation and development paradigms. Consequently, green growth strategies and climate change measures that aim at managing or preventing emission of greenhouse gases and short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) have been developed and are being implemented by many countries with varying degrees of impact. Indeed, most Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted to the UNFCCC, and the range of circular economy measures that producers and consumers are encouraged to adopt, indicate an ambitious commitment to climate and air pollution management by African countries.

In response to these developments, in 2019 the Africa Ministerial Conference on Environment (AMCEN) mandated the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) to undertake an integrated assessment of air pollution and climate change in Africa (AMCEN decision 17/2).  This resulted in the Integrated Assessment of Air Pollution and Climate Change for Sustainable Development in Africa that was produced by a partnership between the African Union Commission (AUC), the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The Summary for Decision Makers of the assessment was launched in the African Pavilion at CoP 27 in Egypt, November 2022 (See: https://bit.ly/3HImBgL).

The Assessment is the first-ever integrated assessment of air pollution and climate change for the continent and provides a robust scientific basis for action towards clean air in Africa, including the development of a continent-wide Clean Air Program.

The Assessment’s recommendations are closely aligned with key priorities of Agenda 2063 and with the goals and targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and NDCs for achieving national climate change mitigation goals.

The Assessment in 2022 identified 37 measures – across five key sectoral areas:  i) transport, ii) residential energy, iii) energy generation and industry iv) agriculture and v) waste management –   AMCEN via decision 18/4 in 2022 urged member states to implement the measures.

For the measures to be effectively implemented across Africa, a strong coordinated multi-stakeholder based road map and partnerships are necessary; hence the convening of this stakeholders’ consultative forum.

Forum Purpose

The purpose of this Partnership Forum is to create awareness, partnerships and develop a road map for implementing 37 measures across 5 key areas—transport, residential, energy, agriculture, and waste — to fight climate change, prevent air pollution, and protect human health and the environment simultaneously.

Forum Aims

Determine how to strengthen the existing community of practice as partnerships to implement the 37 measures across the five key areas in line with the African Ministerial Conference on Environment (AMCEN) decision 18/4 mandate. The partnerships will support actions by stakeholders at different scales.

1. Propose a road map to assist the AUC to coordinate implementation of proposed Africa Clean Air Program and discuss a continental scale cooperation framework linking to Agenda 2063 priorities, SDGs, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the UNEA Resolutions amongst others.
2. Document expression of interest in supporting implementation of the measures in the five areas based on respective country and regional policies.
3. Identify Champion countries in each of the Regional Economic Communities to lead implementation at regional scale.

Expected Outputs and associated impacts

• An Africa-wide community of practice for an integrated response to air pollution and climate change issues is conceptualized and a way forward for operationalization is determined.
• An outline for developing Africa Clean Air Program

Agenda:

Missed the event? Watch the full recording here:

Partners

The meeting is being organized by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition in partnership with the African Union Commission, UNEP-Regional Office for Africa, and SEI. It will be convened virtually.