African Climate Wire

Incremental progress in some areas of the Bonn SB64 climate talks, was overshadowed by a walk back on previous commitments, and you-first-ism, setting a poor framework for COP31 talks At the closing session of this year’s mid-year climate talks under the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement, known as SB64, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell, warned that the outcome was a “recipe for gridlock.” The description aptly captured the spirit of the meeting where countries stalled proceedings...

Over 9,000 people attended the 2026 June Climate Meetings. Some of them share their thoughts on the negotiations and their outcomes for specific target areas, and the way forward. Lisa Nyamadzawo: Urban Planning Professional and Specialist in International Development Planning Cities are crucial because they not only generate 70% of greenhouse gas emissions but also where people live, making them an effective place to mitigate or cut emissions.

The climate crisis in the Sahel has become a defining geopolitical and human security challenge shaping the trajectory of one of the world’s most fragile regions. Stretching from Senegal to Sudan, the Sahel has become the convergence point of ecological degradation, governance fragility, violent extremism and humanitarian distress.

Climate finance and continental ambitions The African Development Bank (AfDB) wrapped up its 52nd Annual Meetings in Brazzaville at the end of May 2026, with a “celebration of a strong operational performance.” The Bank has managed to raise US$25billion in climate finance commitments in the midst of geopolitical fragmentation and conflicts that have put stability, food security and energy access at risk.

The Bonn Climate Talks happen annually mid-year, led by the scientific and technical arms of the UNFCCC. They are where countries substantively negotiate the technical points that ultimately make their way to the COP at the end of the year.

On 20 May 2026,  the UN General Assembly (UNGA) voted to adopt a resolution in support of the implementation of the advisory opinion on the legal obligations of states on climate change, which was issued by the International Court of Justice last year. The resolution welcomes the advisory opinion as “an authoritative contribution to the clarification of existing international law”, calling on governments to comply with their international legal obligations.

International investment treaties, and the special legal system they create for foreign investors via Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS), have now become a major obstacle for countries as they try to pursue more ambitious climate action. Many countries over the years, have signed Bilateral Investment Treaties to attract foreign investment.

Mpumalanga is the epicentre of South Africa’s coal mining industry and energy, with 11 of Eskom’s 14 coal power stations and two of South Africa’s biggest coal mines  based in the province. Coal mining is responsible for a significant part of the region’s economic output, employment, and the nation’s energy mix. However, no mineral can be mined forever. Coal mines across Mpumalanga are approaching the end of their lifecycles.

Oil currently accounts for 43% of Africa’s energy production, with Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) and coal making up 33% and 19% respectively. Forecasts indicate that these fossil fuels will still account for 64% of Africa’s energy by 2050. Although there are variations from country to country, the overreliance on fossil fuels makes the continent vulnerable to global energy shocks, as was recently illustrated with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

On 2 May 2025, the African Climate Platform (ACP) – a broad coalition of more than 100 African climate justice and environmental CSOs and activists, in partnership with the Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU), filed a historic climate case before the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Court). The group is asking the court for an Advisory Opinion that clarifies the human rights legal obligations of African States are in the context of climate change.