About

Strengthening the participation of African non-party stakeholders in the UNFCCC process

Context

The upcoming 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is one of the most prominent COPs to take place since the Paris Agreement in 2015. It is particularly important as Parties are in the process of updating their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and there is mounting pressure for countries to raise levels of ambition, reach agreement on climate finance, and finalize the Paris Rulebook.

Whilst the African Group of Negotiators and other negotiating blocs within which African countries have participated and have been able to meaningfully contribute to the negotiations, other African voices, particularly non-party stakeholders, have not featured as prominently. The importance of a successful COP 26 and the extreme urgency of integrated African climate change action underscores the importance of developing and promoting shared African positions on issues that are likely to dominate the COP. Input from stakeholders will not only enhance Africa’s position as a bloc within the negotiations, but it may also domestically strengthen the ambition, relevance and effectiveness of NDCs.

This project is funded by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS)

Project aims

The project is being undertaken in 20 African Countries, and we, in consultation with In-country experts, have identified 2 or 3 organisations per country on the basis of their knowledge of the field and levels of influence, including your organisation.

We wish to co-develop a diverse and inclusive community of practice.

The key outcomes of the project will then be to develop shared position papers on the themes leading up to the negotiations and for these to be circulated and published within our network as well as on international media and related platforms.

Project details

OneWorld, in collaboration with Climate Legal and Skultcha, are undertaking a project to promote and strengthen the participation of African non-Party Stakeholders within UNFCCC Processes.

Project aims

  • facilitate discussions amongst identified stakeholders with a view to developing shared positions on priority issues forming the subject of negotiations at COP26;

  • bring to prominence the shared positions and views of identified stakeholders and to present or publish these views using regional and international platforms;

  • capacitate stakeholders in key issues identified as relevant to Africa in the lead up to COP26, including, potentially on issues such as Loss and Damage, Climate Finance, as well as Water and Nature Based Solutions;

  • creating communities of practice amongst stakeholders to operate as a platform for dialogue and discussion of African specific climate change negotiation issues prior to COP26, and possibly in successive COPs thereafter.