By Avit Ndayiziga
While developed nations commit billions to climate financing, poorer nations urge smooth climate funding processes.
Despite operationalizing loss and damage fund, poorer nations, most vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, complain that accessing climate finances involves overwhelming procedures that hinder the timely implementation of their nationally determined contributions (NDCs).
On COP28’s third day, many presidents and other delegates delivered their allocutions in theHigh-Level Segment National Statements, Evariste Ndayishimiye, Burundi’s president, urged for “a smoother climate financing” he insisted while applauding the steps already made by COP28 to operationalize the loss and damage fund.”He stated.
At this point, the head of state endorsed COP28 President Sultan, who has pointed out that “for too long climate finance has never been available, accessible, or affordable.”However, he promised that his presidency is committed to unlocking a flow of finances to ensure that “the global south does not have to choose between development and climate action.” He underlined this during his opening remark.
Burundi is one of the top 20 countries most vulnerable to climate change. As the president has stated, however, this country has clear plans to combat it.
“Burundi has joined forces with other nations in the global effort to address climate change, which has become a harsh reality for many developing countries. Burundi suffers significant losses due to torrential rains, floods, strong winds, landslides, and hail.”He insisted.
As reported by the IOM Burundi Displacement Tracking Matrix, as of July 2023, Burundi homes 73,931 internally displaced people.
Additionally, “Burundi, like other countries signatories of The Paris Agreement, has projects through its 2020 Nationally determined contributions (NDCs), for instance, a national big project of reforestation entitled “ Ewe Burundi Urambaye.” or reforested Burundi,” he added.
As per Burundi’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the country is committed to reforesting 8,000 hectares yearly for 15 years starting from 2016.
Besides, Burundi aims to completely replace all carbonization ovens and traditional domestic cookers with more sustainable alternatives, replacing mineral fertilizers with organic manure by 2030.
In the energy sector, Burundi is building three hydroelectric power stations by 2030 to increase its electrification rate from the current estimated 11% to 35%.
The same NDCs estimates that conditional and unconditional projects will cost one billion, six hundred and eighty-nine thousand, one hundred and twenty thousand United States dollars (USD 1,689,102).
On the other hand, Macky Sall, Senegal’s president, stated that the adaptation fund has declined to 14% while it is a prerequisite for development in Africa.
“The funding required to implement adaptation projects in Africa amounts to 14 billion dollars. The funding has decreased to 14 over the past three years, causing concern as the costs are expected to rise significantly if no action is taken.” he emphasized.
In the first three days of COP28, countries have pledged more than USD888.6 million to cover loss and damage.
Beyond loss and damage funds, countries keep on committing other pots of money for climate-related actions.The United Arab Emirates announced on Friday, December 1, 2023, stating their commitment to contribute $30 billion to a newly established fund. The fund aims to attract private sector investments towards climate-related projects and enhance financing opportunities for countries in the Global South.
On December 2, 2023, Vice President Kamala Harris of the United States announced a contribution of $3 billion to the Green Climate Fund. This funding is intended to assist developing nations in adapting to the climate crisis and reducing fossil fuel pollution.
This announcement serves as a response to the criticism directed at the United States for its comparatively small financial contribution to the loss and damage of 17.5 million, which some have deemed “humiliating.”
COP28 is more ambitious and action-driven, according to participants, as many leaders, including Samia Suluhu, the president of Tanzania, are calling on leaders to match their intentions with swift and meaningful action.