Global Ethical Stocktake: African Leaders Unite to Tackle Climate Change Impacts with Local Solutions

The Global Ethical Stocktake (GES) held its Africa Regional Dialogue on September 5 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This event brought together 28 leaders from various sectors in Africa to discuss how to meet the Paris Agreement’s goal: keeping global warming within 1.5°C of pre-industrial levels.

This meeting was the fourth in a series aimed at gathering insights from different regions. Leaders from politics, business, faith communities, and civil society participated, including notable figures like Brazil’s Minister of the Environment, Marina Silva, and Wanjira Mathai from the World Resources Institute.

The GES checks our progress in addressing climate change and emphasizes that while we have technological solutions, we often lack the ethical commitment to use them. The focus is on finding ways to achieve a sustainable future using both modern science and traditional knowledge from local communities.

According to recent statistics from the Global Carbon Project, global CO2 emissions saw a significant rise in 2022. This underscores the urgency of having conversations like the GES, where leaders can openly address these challenges. Nearly 200 countries have made commitments under the Paris Agreement, including the UAE Consensus, which aims to triple renewable energy capacity and curb deforestation.

Marina Silva highlighted the need for “the COP of truth,” where sincere discussions lead to actionable outcomes. She noted that previous agreements must evolve into meaningful actions. Wanjira Mathai reinforced that climate issues are deeply personal and rooted in our histories. She mentioned, “This is not simply about technical failure but a moral failing.”

Looking ahead, GES will produce six regional reports and a main synthesis report to be presented at the Pre-COP in October. These insights could shape discussions at COP30 in Brasília. André Corrêa do Lago emphasized the importance of listening to a diverse range of voices, noting that ongoing dialogues help us recognize our collective climate journey.

The dialogue in Addis Ababa featured diverse perspectives and highlighted that addressing greenhouse gas emissions requires courage. Participants stressed that naming issues directly can lead to innovative solutions, aligning ethical considerations with environmental actions.

As GES continues its dialogues globally—having already met in London, Bogotá, and New Delhi—it’s clear the pathway to climate solutions will depend on collaboration and honest discourse among all stakeholders.

For more information, you can read about the GES on the UN’s official website.

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