By Jane Chanda
The Zambian Parliamentary Caucus on Environment and Climate Change chairperson Twaambo Mutinta says United States of America President Donald Trump’s pronouncement to withdraw his country from the Paris Climate Accord, will undermine long-term commitment of major polluters to climate change financing.
The objective of the agreement is to implement the objectives of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Under this agreement, the US had previously submitted a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in which it committed to reducing the country’s greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28 percent below 3005 levels by 2025.
However, on Monday after he was sworn in, President Trump said the US would immediately withdraw from the unfair one sided Paris accord “rip-off”, adding that the US would not sabotage its industries while China polluted with impunity.
Responding to a query on Tuesday, Mutinta, who is also Itezhi Tezhi member of parliament, said relying heavily on external financing was unsustainable and risky, particularly given the uncertainty surrounding global commitments like the Paris Agreement.
He expressed worry over the news that the U.S. would reduce its climate change financing, which he believed would disproportionately affect Southern African countries like Zambia that were highly vulnerable to climate impacts.
Mutinta highlighted the devastating effects of climate change in Zambia, including washed-out bridges, damaged crops and disrupted education due to flooding.
He stated that African nations must continue advocating for climate justice while exploring alternative strategies to addressing the financial gap created by reduced international support.
Mutinta said local resource mobilisation was crucial for building resilience and addressing the challenges posed by climate change.
He also highlighted the need for African nations to take ownership of their climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.
Mutinta noted that African countries could reduce their reliance on donor support, which was insufficient for long-term solutions, emphasising that African nations must take ownership of their climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.
“African governments need to act swiftly to close the financial gap caused by reduced international support. Local resource mobilisation is critical to building resilience and addressing these challenges,” Mutinta stated.
He further said local financing and mitigation measures would reduce vulnerability to disasters and ensure sustainable development.
Asked about the way forward for African nations, Mutinta emphasised the need for African leaders to prioritise local resource mobilisation and strengthen domestic financing mechanisms.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday directing the United States to again withdraw from the landmark Paris Climate Agreement, dealing a blow to worldwide efforts to combat global warming and once again distancing the U.S. from its closest allies.
The US President’s action, hours after he was sworn in to a second term, echoed his directive in 2017, when he announced that the U.S. would abandon the global Paris Accord.
