Greenpeace Africa Applauds AMCEN’s Unified Climate Action stances While Warning Against False Solutions – Latest Insights from EnviroNews

The 20th African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) wrapped up on July 18, 2025, in Nairobi. This year’s gathering focused on urgent environmental challenges facing Africa. The resulting Tripoli Declaration shows a unified effort among ministers, but calls for stronger commitments on key issues.

One major decision was support for a Global Plastics Treaty. This treaty aims to fight pollution throughout the entire lifecycle of plastics. Ministers also highlighted the need for better climate finance to help communities adapt to changing conditions. Protecting vital ecosystems, like wetlands, was another important point, with an emphasis on supporting Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs).

Greenpeace Africa praised the declaration for prioritizing circular economy principles and sustainable chemicals management. These steps align with Africa’s growing push to reduce plastic production and hold polluters accountable.

However, the declaration has its gaps. It lacks specific measures to hold corporations accountable for their environmental impact. Esther Syombua, Regional Coordinator at Greenpeace Africa, pointed out that while there are calls for better governance and funding, there’s no push for direct accountability from polluters. This means the burden of climate action might fall unfairly on African nations.

There’s also concern about endorsing carbon credit schemes—these can sometimes serve as distractions from real climate solutions. Hellen Kahaso Dena, Pan-Africa Plastic Project Lead at Greenpeace Africa, warned that these schemes might enable harmful practices like open burning, which disproportionately harm vulnerable communities.

The outcomes from AMCEN 20 will shape Africa’s stance at important upcoming meetings, such as COP30 on climate and UNEA 7. Greenpeace Africa encourages governments to turn the Tripoli Declaration into action, focusing on equity, community rights, and environmental integrity.

As the conversation around climate change grows, actions from events like AMCEN are crucial. A recent survey by the African Development Bank found that 90% of Africans believe climate change is a significant threat. The need for local solutions is clear, as communities face unique challenges. Engaging and empowering local voices can lead to more effective environmental policies.

Greenpeace Africa is committed to collaborating with governments and local organizations to safeguard the environment and promote climate justice across the continent. The future depends on these collective efforts.

For more on Africa’s environmental policies, visit Greenpeace Africa for the latest updates and insights.

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