G4CA at cop28 “TIRED OF RHETORICS, TIME FOR ACTION!”
Voice of Young African Eco-Feminists, Youth & Children
In the vibrant tapestry of global climate action, Girls for Climate Action (G4CA) stands at the intersection of resilience and urgency. As representatives of young women and girls in Africa, our position for COP28 is a testament to our lived experiences, grounded in the crisis. We are the frontline warriors, diverse and determined, hailing from various backgrounds, including women, adolescents, children, youth, indigenous peoples, smallholder farmers, and gatherers.
Our voice emerges as a powerful counterpoint to the narratives of fossil fuel giants and governments aligned with the status quo. This position paper reflects the strength and resilience of those often silenced by overwhelming forces. In collaboration with over 300 youth and African Young Eco-feminists, our demands harmonize into a symphony for justice, equity, and meaningful action.
Our key demands Our principes that shaped this position.
- Intersectionality and Inclusivity.
- Rejection of False Solutions.
- Prioritization of Renewable Energy.
- Historical Responsibility and Support.
ADAPTATION
While the entire continent is navigating the impacts of a changing climate, it is the marginalized communities, often situated in the fringes of society, who bear the brunt of these adversities, that demand urgent and transformative adaptation measures. Women, girls and youth emerge as the unsung heroes and resilient custodians of their communities.
- Clear metrics and indicators for adaptation plans addressing the specific vulnerabilities of women and girls.
- Time-bound commitment to adaptation finances for community-led initiatives.
- Increased access to green technologies for marginalized youth, women and girls.
- Financial support for women-led green businesses in climate- resilient activities.
- Protection of women’s land and resource rights amid climate-induced displacement.
- Recognition of inter sectional approaches for tailored adaptation strategies.
- Establishment of separate funds and implementation groups for youth in NDCs and NAPs.
CLIMATE FINANCING
Climate finance stands as the lifeblood of global efforts to combat climate change, providing the essential resources required to mitigate its impacts, adapt to shifting conditions, and transition towards a low-carbon future.
- Urgent delivery on the unfulfilled USD 100 Billion commitment.
- Direct funds to frontline communities with clear mechanisms.
- Prevention of climate finance increasing the financial climate debt in Africa.
- Special fund in grant form for youth, women-led climate solutions.
- Finalization of operationalizing the loss and damage fund, ensuring gender responsiveness
CARBON MARKET
Carbon Markets allow CDR technologies to bypass external regulations related to rights, safety and biodiversity. They provide an easy excuse for the fossil fuel industry, high-polluting businesses and governments to continue as normal.
- We reject carbon markets and their propagation as means for addressing Africa’s climate finance needs for Africa as they are a false solution.
- The UNFCCC should set aside a transparent group that should investigate the many land grabbing cases that have been as a result of carbon investments and carbon brokers.We reject green washing schemes.
- The goal should be building the resilience of African people especially the indigenous people.
LOSS & DAMAGE
Beyond the realms of adaptation and mitigation, loss and damage acknowledge the harsh reality that some losses are irreversible, and some damages demand justice, and financial redress. Communities are redirecting the meager resources to deal with loss and damage. The new loss and damage fund has weaknesses which include the weak language on sources of finances which fails to hold the historical emitters accountable and their need to support this fund, World Bank being the host of the L&D fund.
- We need clear institutional arrangements for Loss and Damage. We understand that countries are trying to work with the World Bank to clear all the doubts, but we still want to stand with communities and say; Loss and Damage funds should not be Loans.
- The L&D fund should not be voluntary, if we base on Principles of equity,and polluter pay principle, we call upon polluting countries who have been historically responsible for the current emissions to fund loss and damage. They should pay for the losses that communities at the frontlines are experiencing.
- Clear operationalizing of the L&D fund should be clearly decided in Dubai.
- We call upon African governments to have a clear channel for funds beyond the impunity in the government systems where money does not reach the people being affected.
ON AGRICULTURE
- We advocate for the integration of indigenous knowledge in agricultural practices.
- Recognizing the valuable contributions of traditional knowledge in enhancing the resilience of agricultural systems and ensures the sustainability of farming practices, particularly in the face of changing climate conditions.
- Parties must agree on the access to early warning systems for communities at the frontlines.
- Building knowledge hubs in communities for knowledge sharing and sharing on best practices.
- Investing Resources in technologies initiated by youth in various communities.
ON HEALTH
- We demand the Africa negotiators to have a holistic position on health and building resilience of health systems and to consider health as one of the primary needs for people in Africa that is non-negotiable.
- Humanitarian aid/support in the wake of the climate crisis should center access to Sexual and Reproductive Health for adolescents, women and girls, and youth and access to water.
- Demand investments in climate-resilient infrastructure for health facilities, especially in vulnerable communities. This includes ensuring that health facilities are equipped to withstand extreme weather events and that they have the capacity to respond effectively to climate-related health challenges.
- We demand for accessible, culturally sensitive mental health support, tailored to the unique mental health challenges faced by youth,women and girls in face of climate impacts.
- Call for comprehensive food security and nutrition programs that address the impacts of climate change on agricultural practices and food availability. Ensuring access to nutritious food, especially for children, women and girls.
GLOBAL STOCKTAKE
- The bigger goal is known to everyone as the report shows, however we need governments to have national clear goals, indicators on cutting down emissions and adaptation.
- There has to be a clear channel between commitments and disbursements of the climate finance, loss and damage fund.
- We call for clear accountability.
JUST TRANSITION & MITIGATION
If we don’t decisively cut down our greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2030, we will not keep the 1.5 degrees Celsius goal alive. Even if the international community were to stop emitting all greenhouse gases today, it would take decades for the climate to stabilize, and climate disruption is here to stay for the long haul.
- At this COP28, we want developed countries to phase out fossil fuels and not phasing down, the language used on this should be clear.
- Countries should cut all the subsidies or limit subsidies for fossil fuel companies including permits and instead incentivise communities and ensure access to clean energy.