Ramaphosa: Africa experiencing the worst impacts of climate change

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative effect on the fight against climate change. In the two years of living with the pandemic, several places around the world and Africa, have seen record high temperatures. As the fight against the pandemic took centre stage, the battle against climate change slipped a bit too far back.

Cyril Ramaphosa on climate change and Africa

Ramaphosa addressed a meeting on Sunday of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate change. It was the last meeting that South Africa will sit as chair.

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The perception has long been that Africa is the most resistant to the fight against climate change due to the cost. Ramaphosa stressed that it will be African countries’ pockets that hurt more if nothing is done.

In fact, Ramaphosa says that African countries are already paying the cost of climate change.

“Africa is experiencing the worst impacts of phenomena associated with global warming such as droughts, floods and cyclones. Climate change impacts are costing African economies between 3 and 5 per cent of their GDP’s. Despite not being responsible for causing climate change, it is Africans who are bearing both the brunt and the cost.”

President Cyril Ramaphosa

Ramaphosa: Africa needs more help

But while Africa is willing to take part in a fight in a battle it did not begin, Ramaphosa is once again calling for developed countries to do more to help out. The president says Africa’s special needs and circumstances need to be recognised globally. Ramaphosa made sure to stress that many African economies are largely based on natural resources.

With the global UN climate change summit (COP27) coming up in November, he also called on African countries to speak with one voice about climate change. At the same time, he acknowledged that each country’s journey will have to be different.

“A one-size-fits-all approach to complex issues such as a transition from fossil fuels that disregards the realties on the ground in Africa will simply not work, and is neither just nor equitable. To achieve the expected results for Africa at COP27, it is imperative that we develop a strong and well-coordinated Common African Position, and that we formulate a set of robust key messages that encapsulate Africa’s aspirations.”

COP27 will take place in Egypt from the 7th to the 18th.