Search

The Talanoa Dialogue on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change focuses on taking stock of progress towards the long-term goal of the 2015 Paris Agreement, including refining (intended) nationally determined contributions [(I)NDCs]. The Talanoa Dialogue focuses on three questions, namely: Where are we? Where do we want to go? And, how do we get there? Given the resentment regarding the manner in which some (I)NDCs have been crafted and continued allegations on mitigation bias, this paper audits selected African (I)NDCs to determine the extent to which agriculture and adaptation issues are addressed. It emerged that while some address agriculture and adaptation, others do not. Agriculture and climate adaptation must continue to be placed at the centre of the (I)NDCs. Likewise, if Africa is to fulfil Agenda 2063’s commitment to prioritise climate adaptation, effort must be redoubled to enact a COP26 Decision on Agriculture addressing adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior to developments in Copenhagen in 2009 and Cancun in 2010, global climate policy negotiations seldom culminated in concrete decisions concerning ways in which Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) could be linked to sustainable development and carbon markets in developing countries, such as those in some parts of Africa.That changed with the expansion of the REDD initiative, to REDD+. Key arguments in the discussions have concerned contested methodologies for measuring, reporting and verifying carbon stocks; ensuring adequate technology transfer; and rectifying the shortage of local experts to deal with REDD+. However, there has been no contestation on the fact that REDD+ creates financial value for carbon stored in forests, an aspect that would encourage developing countries to reduce emissions from deforestation and degradation of forested lands and to invest in low-carbon growth paths. This article sheds light on how REDD+ has developed in global climate negotiations and how African governments have and should engage with REDD+. The conclusion is that since the Bali Action Plan of 2007, there has been significant progress in creating enabling global architecture with regard to REDD+, and African governments should now grasp the opportunities offered by REDD+ while advocating for a fair, legally binding and ethical arrangement to engage over the forests which are so key to many of their economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]