The response to climate change will reach cruising speed in West Africa. Countries in the sub-region have just received financial support from the African Development Bank (AfDB). The funds are aimed at scaling up efforts to meet the targets for Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
The African Development Bank (AfDB) is supporting the momentum of West African countries in achieving the targets they have set themselves under the Paris Climate Agreement, including the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This support translates into funding, the amount of which remains to be determined. The funds will enable governments to develop the technical capacity and institutional infrastructure needed to combat climate change. This includes making available to the private sector new sources of financing for energy efficiency and climate change mitigation projects.
The main objective of the Paris Accord is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to ensure that global temperatures remain within a range of 1.5°C to 2°C by 2100. To achieve this goal, each country plays its part by defining, over a specific period of time, the NDCs that are appropriate to its context and resources.
Defining a model for achieving NDCs in West Africa
The funds released by the AfDB are accessible through the African Climate Technology and Finance Network and Centre (ACTFCN). The Bank will also ensure the preparation of a concept note analysing the use of internationally transferable mitigation results (Itmo) in selected West African countries. A component implemented by a consortium led by the Nigerian company, Triple E Systems Associates, which specialises in environmental, energy, engineering and climate change consulting services.
“This intervention will ensure the establishment of a solid platform including processes, procedures and structures that will guarantee a real and concrete participation of West Africa in the use of Itmo for the realisation of part of their NDC ambitions. It will serve as a basis for replicating these operations in other African countries,” says Gareth Phillips, the AfDB’s Director of Climate Change Finance and Environmental Conservation.
The AfDB’s support will also enable West African states to be better equipped for the upcoming global climate negotiations. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, COP26 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) had to be postponed to November 2021 in Glasgow, UK.
Boris Ngounou
