Strengthening African leadership and influence through thought leadership, technical support to African institutions, strategic communications and movement building.
Rooted in African reality, powering Africa's climate and energy leadership, from local action to global influence.
Africa approaches COP31 while facing intensifying climate impacts alongside profound development challenges. Droughts, floods, heatwaves and other extremes are already undermining food and water security, infrastructure, livelihoods and development gains. At the same time, many African countries face high debt burdens, constrained fiscal space, high borrowing costs, inadequate energy access, and structural inequalities in global finance, trade and technology.
This policy brief provides an African perspective on key thematic priorities for the upcoming 31st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP31), taking place in Antalya, Türkiye, in November 2026. It aims to support African negotiators, policymakers and civil society in advancing a coherent justice- oriented African strategy and narrative in the lead up to and during COP31.
As the population continues to grow, estimated to hit 2.5 billion by 2050, and with climate change and human activity destroying water resources, supply will become even scarcer, putting millions of households in danger of drought, dehydration, and a sanitation nightmare.
While Africa is home to many large water bodies, including lakes, rivers, and springs, it is one of the most water-poor continents in the world. With a population of 1.5 billion, Africa accounts for only 9 percent of the total renewable freshwater resources in the world.
Today, only 51 percent of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa has access to clean, safe drinking water. The rest, about one in three Africans, don’t have access to water.
As the population continues to grow, estimated to hit 2.5 billion by 2050, and with climate change and human activity destroying water resources, supply will become even scarcer, putting millions of households in danger of drought, dehydration, and a sanitation nightmare.
Mobilise climate action in Africa, Amplify African voices through increased visibility in media; and Leverage this voice internationally.
We seek a development pathway that advances energy sovereignty and economic transformation while strengthening climate resilience and accelerating low-emission development.
We seek a climate-resilient Africa where communities, ecosystems and economies can adapt and thrive in a changing climate.
We seek a financial system that advances financing sovereignty and delivers equitable and accessible climate finance in support of Africa’s climate and development priorities.
We seek stronger African leadership, coordination and influence across climate and energy governance, resulting in outcomes that support resilience, sustainable development and a just energy transition.
We work with reporters, editors, media organisations and champions to strengthen climate reporting and support more accurate, nuanced and solutions-oriented storytelling.
Through coalitions and platforms, we help build shared agendas, strengthen collective advocacy and connect local priorities with national, continental and global processes.
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