Africa wants compensation
2009-08-25 09:10
Nairobi - African leaders are mulling a proposal to demand an annual $67bn in compensation from developed nations for the effects of climate change being wrought on the continent.
Ministers met at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa on Monday to discuss the proposal, which if approved could be set on the table at the United Nations' climate-change summit in Copenhagen this December.
The draft resolution calls for the compensation to reach $67bn by 2020. As many as 250 million Africans could be facing water shortages by this point, the UN Environment Programme has warned.
Studies have shown that Africa is bearing the brunt of climate change despite the continent itself being responsible for only a fraction of worldwide emissions.
Africa is expected to be hit hard by rising sea levels, drought and floods if global warming is not checked.
Already campaigners are pointing to a long drought that is threatening millions with hunger in the Horn of Africa as evidence that climate changes is having a negative impact.
Developed nations should also reduce their emissions by 40% from 1990 levels within 10 years, the proposal says.
December's meeting in Copenhagen is part of a process aimed at negotiating a new climate change deal to replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012.
African nations have struggled to find a common position, and the resolution is aimed at presenting a united front and increasing the continent's bargaining power.
The proposal is expected to be discussed on the sidelines of a special AU conference on peace and security to be held in Libya on Sunday and Monday.
- SAPA