New Research Brief on Africa’s key climate outcomes from recent COPs

Our latest Research Brief, Latest COPs on climate change, desertification, and biodiversity - key outcomes for Africa (2024-25) is available to download. The brief provides an overview of the latest developments at major Conferences of the Parties (COPs) and their implications for the African continent.

One of the central topics covered is climate finance. At COP29, developed nations committed to increasing climate finance to $300 billion annually by 2035, aimed at supporting developing countries. While this is a notable step forward, the brief highlights that the pledge falls short of meeting Africa’s rising needs.

The establishment of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) was another significant outcome. However, despite the fund being finalised, the $700 million pledged to date only addresses a fraction (0.6%) of the climate-related damages Africa is expected to incur by 2030.

The brief also points out the lack of progress on adaptation efforts. While negotiations surrounding the global goal on adaptation, as outlined in Article 7 of the Paris Agreement, showed promise at COP28, subsequent talks have stalled.

In addition, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCDD) COP16 focussed on financing drought resilience. However, the conference failed to secure a binding agreement, deferring the issue to COP17, set to take place in Mongolia in 2026.

Finally, the brief outlines the resumption of COP16 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which had been postponed from November 2024. The conference recently concluded with an agreement to mobilise at least $200 billion annually by 2030 to address the biodiversity finance gap.