By Abiodun Salako
As the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS-2) drew to a close in Addis Ababa, African non-state actors called on political leaders to anchor the summit’s final declaration in justice, transformation, and the lived realities of communities most vulnerable to climate change.
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, the coalition of civil society, labour, youth, women’s groups, indigenous communities, private sector, and faith-based organisations warned against what they described as “timid diplomacy,” urging African negotiators to adopt a bold stance on climate finance.
“Adaptation financing is a red line for Africa,” the statement read. “Any credible outcome from ACS-2 must address our vulnerability with substance, not platitudes.”
The groups criticised the slow progress on securing a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for climate finance and expressed disappointment over the “uninspiring” Baku-to-Belém roadmap ahead of COP30 in Brazil.
They rejected the use of loans or debt-linked instruments such as green or blue bonds for adaptation financing, describing them as “debt traps repackaged.” Instead, they demanded clear commitments to publicly funded, grant-based adaptation support.
“Africa cannot afford to finance its adaptation by deepening its debt burden. The summit must not legitimise any financial instrument that compromises long-term development and sovereignty,” the coalition stated.
The actors also called for scaled-up and accessible climate finance, debt cancellation, a reformed global financial architecture, recognition of Africa’s natural assets, and an equitable energy transition.
They stressed that the Addis Ababa Declaration must safeguard Africa’s interests, uphold the responsibilities of historical emitters under the Paris Agreement, and inspire ambition ahead of COP30.
“The time for timid diplomacy is over. Africa cannot afford to score an own goal. Let this declaration keep the aspirations of our societies alive,” the statement concluded.
The joint call was endorsed by movements and institutions spanning 16 sectors, including agriculture, labour, academia, human rights, children-focused groups and philanthropies.
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