EAC bloc to start climate change fund

Studies show that Least Developed Countries especially in Africa will be most hit by the effects of climate change even though they contribute least to emission of greenhouse gases.

Members of the East African Community (EAC) have endorsed key resolutions that seek to put in place a climate change fund.

The resolutions, emerging from the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee report of EAC, also recommends the formation of a standalone committee that will adequately address climate change issues.

“The Assembly has debated and adopted a crucial report of the agriculture and natural resources committee on climate change,” read a statement from the EALA secretariat.

Danger
“In the deliberations, the East African Legislation Assembly notes that climate change is hampering agriculture, affecting natural resources and largely degrading the environment and advocates for a multi-disciplinary approach towards mitigating on the adverse environmental impacts.”

The initiative comes at a crucial time when the Green Climate Fund that receives countries’ contributions to mitigate climate change, has no money.

Bleak developments
At the Climate Change talks in Durban, South Africa in 2011, countries pledged to raise $100 billion by 2020.
However, even after the last climate talks in Qatar last year, no country had brought the cash.

The EAC Secretary General, Ambassador Richard Sezibera said the bloc was concerned about the effects of climate change on the region.
Studies show that Least Developed Countries especially in Africa will be most hit by the effects of climate change even though they contribute least to emission of greenhouse gases.

These effects include floods, drought, and disease outbreak among others.
So far, the EAC has come up with a number of policies to mitigate the effects of climate change in the nearby future.

flanyero@ug.nationmedia.com