AU Warns Ahead of Summit: Africa Needs $3 Trillion to Meet Climate Goals.
The African Union (AU) has announced that over $3 trillion is needed for the continent to meet its climate goals, a crucial message delivered ahead of the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) scheduled for September 8–10 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
During a virtual media briefing, AU Commissioner for Agriculture and Sustainable Environment, Moses Vilakati, highlighted the dire imbalance between financing needs and actual funding received. He revealed that Africa received just $30 billion in climate finance between 2021 and 2022, less than 2% of the required amount.
Vilakati stressed that Africa contributes the least to global emissions yet suffers disproportionately from climate impacts such as droughts, floods, and food insecurity. Only 18% of mitigation needs and 20% of adaptation needs are currently funded across the continent.
The ACS2, themed “Accelerating Global Climate Solutions: Financing for Africa’s Resilient and Green Development,” aims to shift discourse from pledges to practical action. The AU calls on governments, private investors, and international partners to increase commitments, remove bureaucratic barriers and support sustainable green growth and energy transitions.
“Africa needs over $3 trillion to meet climate goals,” Vilakati said, and called for immediate, equitable, and scalable financial support.
