President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called on world leaders to shift from dialogue to action in addressing the global climate crisis.
Speaking at the World Climate Leaders Summit at the official opening of COP29 in Azerbaijan on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, he emphasised that the escalating impact of climate change requires concerted efforts to protect current and future generations.
He expressed his concern that despite years of attending global climate summits, the world still lacked effective solutions to address the climate crisis.
“We gather here, we must demonstrate that we are not only individuals or policymakers, but as people bound by the love for our land and environment. Our children’s future hinges on our decisions, so COP29 must be a shift from dialogue to action,” President Akufo-Addo stressed.
With COP29 highlighting climate financing, President Akufo-Addo urged developed countries to make significant financial pledges to drive the green transition.
On Ghana’s climate initiatives, he stated over 50 million trees have been planted in four years, adding that his government has established infrastructure for green transportation aimed at reducing fossil fuel emissions.
He added that in line with the requirements of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Ghana had updated its nationally determined contributions (NDCs) aimed at promoting adaptation and mitigation interventions.
President Akufo-Addo encouraged developed countries honour their financial commitments to support developing countries in achieving climate goals.
To this end, he disclosed that Ghana has mobilised $800 million through carbon credit trading from Sweden and Switzerland.
He reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to a greener globe, emphasizing that no country is immune to climate change’s impact. “For Ghana, climate change is real and immediate; affecting our farmers and coastlines and communities. Rising temperatures and unpredictable weather threatening our livelihoods daily, but we respond with resilience and commitment.”
For his part, Azerbaijan’s President, Ilham Heydar oghlu Aliyev, stressed the need for global efforts to scale up renewable energy sources, particularly solar and wind. However, he noted that countries with oil and gas resources should not be pressured to abandon them.
He lashed out at Western advocates and media, stating, “Every natural resource is a gift of God and countries should not be blamed for having them or bringing them to the market, because people need them.”
He also highlighted the conference’s success, with over 72,000 registered participants from 196 countries.
Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Dennis Keelson
