- African nations endorse unified climate legislation
- Experts push for continent-wide climate action
- New legal framework aims to combat climate challenges
In a significant move to strengthen climate resilience, African stakeholders—including legal experts, policymakers, lawmakers, and climate specialists—have validated a Model Climate Change Law tailored for the continent.
This endorsement occurred during a three-day retreat in Abuja, organized by the African Group of Negotiators Expert Support (AGNES) in collaboration with the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS).Currently, only Kenya, Uganda, and Nigeria have dedicated climate change legislation among Africa’s 54 countries.
The newly validated model law aims to bridge this legislative gap, providing a comprehensive framework for nations to address Climate challenges effectively.
Dr. George Wamukoya, AGNES Team Lead, emphasized the urgency of adopting such frameworks: “Climate change is with us, and we must put comprehensive mechanisms in place to address it, and one such mechanism is a legal framework.” He highlighted that while the model law offers a unified approach, its implementation remains subject to individual countries, each expected to adapt and domesticate the law to fit their unique contexts.
The collaborative effort saw contributions from various organizations, including UNEP and the Africa Network of Parliamentarians on Climate Change (ANPCC), underscoring a collective commitment to fortify Africa’s stance in global climate negotiations.
By adopting and implementing this model law, African nations aim to enhance their resilience against climate impacts and strengthen their negotiating position on the global stage.
