Climate Change : African Youth Demand Fairer Share Of Global Finance

Perhaps, it is better described as a consolidation forum. Because it did not only revisit the resolutions of the first forum. Or better still, the points contained in the final statement. But went on to stress their continuous relevance today. And for the longer-term future. Before delving into this year’s resolutions. With the most striking being the call for polluting industrialized countries to let go a fairer share of global finance. To Africa, which bears a disproportionate brunt of climate change impacts. Though responsible only for an insignificant percentage of the cause of climate change.

150 Youths, 35 Nations
And so, it came to pass. That 150 youth from 35 African countries had three successful days of discussions in the Cameroonian capital, Yaounde. From October 29-31, 2024 during the Second Forum on Adaptation Finance in Africa, YOFAFA. In prelude to the Conference of the Parties, COP29 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, UNFCCC international meeting holding from November 11-22, 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan. 

Fairer Share Of “Global Cake” 
Rising from the three-day gathering, African youth demanded a fair share of global climate finance. Given the continent’s disproportionate vulnerability to climate change, specific focus must be on energy access projects, they argued. An investment they consider crucial for achieving both adaptation and mitigation goals.

Energy Access
The forum’s closing statement also insisted that industrialized countries and other big polluters, in concert with African leaders and stakeholders, take urgent steps to address certain issues. Such as increasing financing for energy access for climate adaptation in Africa. By recognizing that energy access is essential for climate resilience. Simplifying and expanding access to energy finance for young African innovators. For example, by making financing windows like the Green Climate Fund, GCF, more accessible to youth-led projects with focus on sustainable energy solutions for adaptation.

Technical, Financial Skills 
Similarly, the forum participants called for support for capacity building in energy and climate finance. By equipping African youth with the technical and financial skills to implement resilient energy projects. And for the adoption of cross-sectoral funding models that integrate energy access with climate adaptation needs. 

Cross-sector Resilience 
In this regard, climate adaptation finance must go beyond traditional sectors, they said. By acknowledging that energy access underpins resilience in healthcare, education, food security, and economic stability. Reason why African youth urged industrialized countries to adopt funding models that comprehensively support energy access across sectors. By aligning them with Africa’s broader adaptation needs.

Yaounde Call Restated 
Participants recalled and reaffirmed “The Yaounde African Youth Call on More than Doubling Adaptation Finance for a Resilient Africa” issued at th...