Why the agreement reached at COP15 does not satisfy all African countries
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Environment of the Democratic Republic of Congo Eve Bazaiba speaks during COP15 in Montreal, December 17, 2022. AFP - LARS HAGBERG
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Despite the progress of the Kunming-Montreal pact, adopted on December 19 at COP15 on biodiversity, some African countries are disappointed, like the DRC, which called for the creation of a specific fund for biodiversity and demanded contribution of the rich countries much more important than the 30 billion dollars a year promised.
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Some African countries regret not having been heard on certain points.
From Cameroon to Uganda to
the DRC ,
COP15
negotiators
have expressed disbelief at the deal, which they say lacks ambition.
Several African countries were expecting the creation of a specific fund dedicated to
biodiversity
.
Request rejected, there will be no new fund, but the creation of a branch responsible for the protection of living species within the existing mechanism, the GEF.
Thirty billion against 100 billion
Nor will there be the 100 billion dollars hoped for, but 30 billion per year, promised by the rich countries by 2030. Insufficient, underlines Irène Wabiwa Betoko, forest campaign manager for Greenpeace Africa.
If African countries cannot access sufficient funds quickly, the status quo is likely to remain.
Irène Wabiwa Betoko, forest campaign manager for Greenpeace Africa
Admittedly, the role of
indigenous populations
as “
guardians of biodiversity
” has been recognized, but for Augustine Njamshi, executive secretary of the Biodiversity Conservation Program in Cameroon, this is insufficient.
“Yes, it is recognized that they (Editor's note: the indigenous populations) are making efforts, but they are barely able to live now.
One should have a financial package that is equal to the effort, that's the disappointment
.
»
Other criticisms relate to the non-binding nature of the agreement, which does not prohibit industrial activities harmful to living species.
For countries like France, the work is not finished, and the Kunming-Montreal pact serves above all to set a framework for biodiversity until 2030.
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To read also:
COP15: after the agreement, the difficult implementation of the protection of biodiversity
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