The Climate Finance Gap and Africa’s Struggle for Accountability
The climate crisis has become a global challenge, but its impact is not evenly distributed. While the world’s wealthiest nations have contributed significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, it is the least developed countries, particularly in Africa, that bear the brunt of the consequences. Despite this, they are being asked to implement ambitious climate action plans without the necessary financial support. This growing disparity has sparked urgent calls for accountability and transparency in international climate finance.
At the heart of this issue is the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which represent each country’s commitment to reducing emissions and adapting to climate change. In 2025, many countries are expected to submit their third-generation NDCs, known as NDCs 3.0. So far, 111 countries have submitted their climate plans, a significant increase from 79 before COP30 in Belém, Brazil. However, the real test lies in the implementation of these plans, which requires substantial funding.
According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), approximately USD 3 trillion is needed to support the implementation of NDCs on the continent, with about USD 2.5 trillion required between 2020 and 2030. Yet, only USD 264 billion has been committed by African leaders through domestic resources, leaving the remaining amount to be sourced from international public and private financing. Without this critical support, many African countries risk falling into debt while trying to combat the effects of climate change they did not cause.
The Role of Developed Countries
Dr. Richard Muyungi, Chair of the Africa Group of Negotiators (AGN), emphasized the need for clear and concrete commitments from developed countries. “The issue is simple: developing countries cannot rely on vague assurances,” he said during a media briefing in Belém. “We need clear, concrete commitments from developed countries, yet few have put forward new finance pledges.”
This sentiment was echoed by Evans Njewa, Chair of the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group on Climate Change. He highlighted that while wealthy nations agreed to a new era of climate finance, the promised funds have yet to materialize. “We did not start this fire, but we are being handed the bill. The wealthy country’s bill. It’s time to pay it,” he said. “The USD 1.3 trillion roadmap is only a starting point; delivery and accountability are the real tests of success.”
The Baku to Belem Roadmap and New Collective Quantified Goal
The Baku to Belem roadmap aims to raise USD 1.3 trillion annually for developing countries by 2030. This initiative replaces the unfulfilled USD 100 billion pledge with a more ambitious target of USD 300 billion. However, at COP30, there has been little progress in securing these funds. At COP29 in Baku, developed countries agreed to start working on the new climate finance goal, but at COP30, no significant pledges have been made.
Professor Carlos Lopes, COP30 Special Envoy for Africa, warned against the use of blended and hybrid finance mechanisms that may mask the true cost of commercial financing. “Blended and hybrid finance often camouflages the fact that commercial conditions are expanding,” he said. “These instruments are not multiplying finance; they are simply bringing in more commercial money.”
The Need for Transparent and Equitable Financing
Mitigation accounts for more than half of the reported needs, at about 66 percent, while the rest is for adaptation. However, the majority of climate finance has come from foreign aid, including programs for mitigation and adaptation. Recently, this support has been disrupted, with the U.S. halting funding under President Donald Trump and other Western nations following suit.
African negotiators argue that without adequate funding, developing countries will be forced to take on more debt, further straining their economies. Climate disasters cost between 5 and 15 percent of GDP each year, and with limited resources, most African governments are forced to borrow, spending more on interest payments than on essential services like health and education.
The Call for Action
Michael Mwansa, a Climate Justice Coordinator at ActionAid Zambia, described the lack of funding as hypocritical. “Global North countries, which are causing the current climate crisis, cannot expect Africa, which emits less, to deliver its NDCs without funding,” he said.
Kuda Manjonjo, Just Energy Transition Advisor at Powershift Africa, added that for African nations to implement their climate ambitions, they need funding. “You need money to support your ambition. It is like having a cow, NDCs, that is not being fed. How do you expect to get milk, which is a solution to the climate crisis?” he asked.
As COP30 continues, the pressure on developed countries to fulfill their financial commitments grows. The road to climate justice remains long, but the urgency of the situation demands immediate and meaningful action.
