Commonwealth’s Patricia Scotland calls for bold action to tackle climate change

Africa not only needs financial support to combat climate change, but a series of investments in adaptation and mitigation in order to build resilience. CNBC Africa’s Aby Agina spoke exclusively to Commonwealth Secretary General, Patricia Scotland, to discuss the urgent need for action to address the climate crisis. During the interview, Scotland emphasized the importance of moving beyond mere rhetoric to concrete action, highlighting the significant financial gap between current climate finance levels and what is required to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement by 2030. She also discussed the establishment of the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub, a pivotal initiative aimed at helping countries access climate finance effectively and efficiently. With a focus on both mitigation and adaptation, Scotland underscored the existential threat posed by climate change and the critical need for collaborative efforts to combat it. Looking ahead to COP28 and beyond, she outlined the Commonwealth's role in advocating for fairer terms for accessing climate finance and the necessity of reforming the global financial architecture to support Africa's green transition. The interview shed light on the interconnectedness of climate action across regions and sectors, emphasizing the collective responsibility of governments, businesses, communities, and individuals to safeguard the future of the planet.