Moscow: The current global approaches to climate policy unjustly benefit some countries while disregarding the needs and concerns of others. Consequently, the Chair of the African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change (AGN) and Special Climate Envoy of the President of Kenya, Ali Daud Mohamed, visited Moscow, Russia, recently for a series of events aimed at fostering connections between Russia and Africa in the field of climate action.
According to Kenya News Agency, Mohamed highlighted that Africa’s historical contribution to greenhouse gas emissions is only about four percent of all accumulated anthropogenic emissions. Yet, African countries are highly vulnerable to climate impacts and are under pressure to set more ambitious climate targets and to refrain from using their abundant natural resources. He emphasized that Western countries are largely responsible for the accumulated greenhouse gases, adding that currently, the average European still emits much more per person than an African or Latin American.
Mohamed argued for a fair approach to Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. He proposed that a fixed global emissions budget should be divided across all countries based on an equal right for development for all people, on a per capita basis.
During his visit, Mohamed held discussions with prominent Russian figures, including Ruslan Edelgeriyev, Aide to the President of the Russian Federation and Special Presidential Representative on Climate Issues, Alexander Novak, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, and Mikhail Bogdanov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia and Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for the Middle East and Africa. He also met with Andrey Melnichenko, Chair of the Committee on Climate Policy and Carbon Regulation of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP).
The meetings covered the current state of the international climate agenda, potential approaches to more equitable climate target setting, the outlook for the global carbon market, and the need to confront trade barriers introduced under the pretext of climate action. Edelgeriyev stated that despite challenges in global climate negotiations, Russia remains committed to promoting all Paris Agreement provisions, including greenhouse gas emission reductions, the global carbon market, provision of affordable climate finance, and just technology transfer.
Novak noted that the transition to a low-carbon economy should be fair and gradual, accounting for different national circumstances and development priorities. He emphasized that both green and conventional energy can coexist and complement each other, and that a fair transition cannot be based on a ban on investments in fossil fuel projects.
Following discussions with Novak, the parties agreed to develop a joint work plan to enhance cooperation between Russia and the African Union in the field of climate action, involving business communities from both sides. The Russian side welcomed Mohamed’s proposal to update the approach to NDC target setting.
Mohamed also expressed concerns over climate-related trade barriers, such as the European Union Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (EU CBAM), which he noted discriminates against African exporters and creates an unfair situation when high-emitting countries demand payments from low-emitting countries.
Melnichenko concurred that the global climate agenda is in crisis and emphasized the importance of advancing climate diplomacy to jointly promote equitable approaches to global climate policy. He noted that the interests of Russia and Africa in the field of climate are aligned and suggested that combining Africa’s populous voice with Russian diplomacy, science, and technological advancements could strengthen the push for fairer principles in the international climate agenda.
Melnichenko also highlighted that global carbon market mechanisms are not yet operational, limiting climate action effectiveness. He stated that developing the climate project sector could reduce millions of tonnes of net CO2-eq. emissions annually and expressed Russian developers’ willingness to collaborate with Africa.
The Russian side presented interim results of the Russian National Climate Monitoring System, aimed at advancing data on the country’s greenhouse gas fluxes. Melnichenko stressed that science should play a key role in shaping and promoting countries’ positions globally, noting that Russia’s ecosystems absorb more CO2-eq. than previously thought, painting Russia as a ‘cleaner’ country in international climate negotiations.
Mohamed expressed African countries’ interest in obtaining reliable data on emissions and removals on the continent, indicating this could become a flagship area of cooperation with Russia in the climate field.
