Policy incoherence remains a major hurdle in advancing meaningful development in climate and energy, transport, health, education and research sectors.
This has resulted in an uncoordinated development agenda between the global North and South.
Pan African Climate Justice Alliance Executive Director Dr Mithika Mwenda says incoherent policies can lead to unintended consequences like funding green initiatives while investing in fossil fuels, tightening migration policies and promoting labor mobility policies.
According to the Climate Finance Initiative report dubbed Landscape of Climate Finance in Africa 2024, Climate financing for Africa grew by 48pc to USD 44 billion in 2021/22.
However, this is only a quarter of what is required to realize its 2030 goals.
Experts say that climate action, economic growth and social policies should be designed to strengthen each other rather than creating new vulnerabilities and gaps.
Addressing a meeting convened by the European Union Parliament, Dr. Mwenda urged the European Parliament to engage transparently with the global south to ensure commitments are met and financing is predictable and easily accessible.
Mithika noted that the Global Gateway Initiative, which targets to mobilize up to €300 billion in investments through a Team Europe approach, should be structured in a manner that enhances global north-south relations.
“This is in addition to the Global Gateway initiative, aiming to “enable African countries to integrate their raw materials and resources into sustainable global value chains” by 2030. While, for instance, 63pc of the world’s cobalt, used in batteries, is extracted in the Democratic Republic of Congo, without mentioning other global south countries providing critical Raw Minerals, it is the best opportunity to advance a just, equitable and inclusive transition.” Dr. Mithika said.
The PACJA Executive Director further said Parliamentary debates, sessions, and committee hearings should include voices from Africa and the global south in general to ensure perspectives from affected countries are considered and shape the EU policies.
The meeting has also said EU parliaments must push for trade and investment agreements that promote shared prosperity rather than exploitative relationships.
