Civil society groups hold protests against ongoing Africa Climate Summit
Civil society groups on Monday, September 4 held protests in Nairobi against the ongoing Africa Climate Summit.
In a match towards the Green Park bus terminus, the groups demanded more action towards climate change rather than boardroom talks.
The groups chanting "no more gas, no more coal" slogans are demanding an end to the use of fossil fuels as well as funding the climate change agenda in Africa.
The Africa Climate Summit has brought together policymakers, practitioners, businesses and civil society to exchange on climate solutions, barriers to overcome and opportunities realized in different regions.
Ruto on Africa Climate Summit
Speaking during the opening ceremony of the summit, President William Ruto said Africa holds the key towards global decarbonization.
“You have entered the future, a future driven by global partnerships committed to African prosperity, inclusive growth and a liveable planet for all of us. This is no ordinary summit,” Ruto said.
“Over 640 million Africans have no access to energy, corresponding to an electricity access rate for African countries at just over 40 per cent, the lowest in the world. Kenya is on course towards achieving its 100 per cent clean energy goal by 2030.”
According to Ali Mohamed, Kenya’s Special Climate Envoy, Kenya and Africa are ready to embrace electric mobility as a path to cleaner air, economic growth, and job creation. As a result, he says, this will lead to an electric mobility revolution.
“This is a declaration of Africa’s determination to lead in the electric mobility revolution. With governments, industries, and innovators coming together, we are writing a new chapter for our continent’s sustainable future. This gathering signifies that Kenya and in deed Africa are not only ready but eager to embrace electric mobility as a path to cleaner air, economic growth, and job creation,” Mohamed said.
The government indicated that at least 30,000 people had registered to attend the event happening at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC).
