In Rotterdam, where he is participating in the summit on climate adaptation, Macky Sall reminded the major powers of their commitments, since the Paris Agreement, to support Africa, which is the most vulnerable to climate change. He also cited Senegal’s efforts on the energy mix and green hydrogen with the erection of the Sambangalou hydroelectric dam.

Two months to the Cop-27 meeting in Sharm El-Sheikh, the summit on climate adaptation held in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, President Sall stressed the continent’s vulnerability to climate change. Worse, it lags behind the adaptation process and « benefits very little from green funds and investments despite the existence of dedicated mechanisms ».

With the major Great Green Wall project with a ten-year priority investment plan (2021-2030) of $17.8 billion, the 11 African countries of the Sahelo-Saharan strip south of the Sahara are trying to restore the environmental landscape through efforts to reforest, restore land and create income-generating agro-pastoral activities. « Thus, as part of its internal efforts, Senegal aims to protect 500 thousand hectares of forests, achieve 500 thousand hectares of plantations and reduce by 90% of its areas vulnerable to bushfires.  In addition, our country, among the pioneers in the implementation of the Great Green Wall, paid last year, a voluntary contribution of more than 800 thousand dollars in support of the Pan-African Agency of the Gmv, in addition to its statutory contributions, » Macky Sall explained in his speech.

For him, the efforts are made by these countries, but the promises in favour of climate and economic resilience and the post-Covid-19 pandemic recovery, « are slow to materialise ».  « This is the case with the $100 billion a year pledged to support developing countries’ efforts to adapt and reduce emissions; commitment that should have been materialised since 2020. Moreover, this commitment is not a favour for developing countries. Commitment that should have been materialised since 2020. Moreover, this commitment is not a favour for developing countries.  It is a question of implementing the agreed principle of common but differentiated responsibility, as part of the solidarity efforts that all countries must lead to save planet earth, our common habitat, » President Sall continues.

In front of Western leaders, he made a plea for Africa: « The financial commitment of $100 billion per year from 2020 to 2030, the allocation to Africa of part of the Green Bonds and other innovative investments, making mechanisms for access to climate finance simpler and more transparent. » He adds, « In addition to the goal of raising $25 billion by 2025, we expect above all from the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program, diligent support in terms of expertise for the access of eligible projects and initiatives to green financing mechanisms. »

In addition, Macky Sall insists on the development of the energy-water-resilient agriculture nexus. This will allow, according to him, the availability of water, green energy, green manure and improved seeds and genes, ‘as well as post-harvest equipment, including the cold chain and storage stores for the preservation of products’. « This is the purpose of the Feed Africa Conference that Senegal and the AfDB are co-organising next January in Dakar, » said President Sall.

Despite its low share of global greenhouse gas emissions, Africa needs to refine more energy mix strategies. At home, it’s on the move. « I cite, as an example, among other achievements, the important Senegalese solar electrification project of 1000 villages, financed with more than 75 million euros, thanks to the support of the Green Climate Fund, in partnership with the West African Development Bank, » said President Sall.

Not to mention the development of « new technologies » that bring innovation such as green hydrogen, such as the Sambangalou hydroelectric dam project, within the Omvg. « This dam, which is designed for a period of one hundred years, struggles to mobilise long-term loans, necessary for its production to be competitive. This is an illustrative case of many other similar situations on the continent which the Accelerating Adaptation in Africa Programme should help to resolve, » said President Sall.

By Ousmane SOW 

  • Translation By Ndey Tapha SOSSEH / Serigne Saliou DIAGNE