CAPE TOWN, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- South African Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Willie Aucamp has urged African leaders prioritize climate adaptation and resilience in their plans and budgets.
"Droughts, floods, cyclones, sea level rise, and heat extremes already cost lives and livelihoods every year. Let us partner to build robust investment pipelines that convert plans into projects, and projects into resilience on the ground," he said on Thursday.
Addressing the Ministerial Breakfast Meeting of the African Ministers of Environment taking place on the sidelines of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) sessions in Nairobi, Kenya, Aucamp said that "climate change adaptation and resilience must be mainstreamed across planning and budgets."
"Our development pathway depends on a just energy transition that expands access while cutting emissions. Over 600 million Africans still lack electricity, and nearly a billion rely on biomass for cooking. Energy poverty is a climate and health emergency," he said.
The continent is ready to scale up solar and wind, mini grids, clean cooking, and regional power pools, Aucamp further said, emphasizing that financing terms must be fair and reflect local needs.
"Africa stands ready to lead with solutions that protect people and the planet, strengthen economies, and deepen regional integration," he added. ■