The Global Ethical Stocktake (GES) held its Africa Regional Dialogue in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on September 5th. This important meeting brought together 28 leaders from various sectors to discuss how to achieve the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
This is the fourth dialogue in a series designed to address climate change on a global scale. Leaders from politics, business, faith groups, civil society, and Indigenous communities participated. Notable attendees included Brazil’s Environment Minister Marina Silva and Wanjira Mathai from the World Resources Institute.
The event’s main focus is to evaluate past achievements and outline future actions necessary to tackle climate change. Although we have the technology to address these challenges, what’s often missing is the ethical will to act. According to Mathai, the GES highlights that climate discussions center on human lives, not just technical fixes. She emphasized that “this is not a crisis of technical failure, but of moral failure.”
To make real change, the dialogue aims to combine traditional knowledge with modern climate solutions. Participants discussed how the wisdom of Indigenous peoples can guide effective strategies for sustainable living.
The GES is part of a larger global effort for COP30, with commitments from nearly 200 countries under the Paris Agreement. The UAE Consensus, adopted at COP28, calls for tripling renewable energy capacity, doubling energy efficiency, and transitioning away from fossil fuels.
Marina Silva stressed the importance of making COP30 “the COP of truth.” This embodies the hope of creating actionable paths forward based on genuine commitments.
Data shows increased public interest in climate change discussions. A recent survey revealed that more than 70% of people believe climate policies should prioritize social equity. This highlights a shift in how citizens perceive climate issues, linking them closely to social justice.
As we look to COP30, the outcomes from these dialogues will drive home the message that true progress requires collaboration, transparency, and a shared sense of purpose. With these collective efforts, the aim is to ensure that discussions about climate change prioritize the well-being of people and the planet.
For more details, take a look at the Global Ethical Stocktake.
