Report: Leandro Molina / COP30 Brasil
Voice-over: Bárbara Menezes and Enrique Villamil
Reporter: In a tone of urgency, Brasil’s Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Marina Silva, and the World Resources Institute’s Director for Africa and Partnerships, Wanjira Mathai, opened the fourth Global Ethical Stocktake (GES), held during Africa Climate Week in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with a powerful call to action. The two co-leaders of the Stocktake stressed that the world must honor its financial commitments and that Africa is ready to lead with its own solutions in the fight against the climate crisis, as affirmed by Marina Silva.
Marina Silva: “And to send a message to Belém that, from now on, we must make implementation feasible, make every effort to develop a robust adaptation agenda, but also invest in mitigation, which is the root cause of climate change.”
Reporter: MS. Wanjira Mathai, a Kenyan environmentalist and activist, highlighted a stark contradiction on the continent, noting that Africa contributes less than 4% of global emissions but suffers the most devastating impacts, from prolonged droughts to catastrophic floods.
Wanjira Mathai: These are the issues that we believe will catalyse the transformation we need to see so we can cushion ourselves against the worst impacts of climate change.
Reporter: Representatives from 19 African countries in Addis Ababa emphasized that, despite receiving less than 12% of the promised global climate financing, African nations already invest an average of 2% of their GDP annually in climate adaptation—a disproportionate figure when compared to their historical contribution to the problem.
Africa Climate Week and the Climate Summit in Ethiopia mark an important turning point for the continent. This new narrative argues that although Africa does not bear the same historical responsibility for the crisis, it is an essential part of the solution, as explained by Carlos Lopes, professor at the University of Cape Town and special envoy of the Brazilian COP30 Presidency to Africa.
Carlos Lopes: So, when we look at the major climate debates in Africa, there are three particular issues. One is how we are going to carry out regenerative agriculture to protect our soils. The second is how we are going to industrialize, but in a different way—through green industrialization. And the third is how we are going to reduce our infrastructure deficit, especially energy, taking into account what technology now offers.
Reporter: Leaders from Kenya and Rwanda detailed their advances in circular economy policies and sustainable waste management, turning a problem into an economic opportunity. COP30 President, Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago, praised the “Global Ethical Stocktake,” describing it as “particularly inspiring.”
André Corrêa do Lago: I think we recognize ourselves a lot in the experiences, frustrations, and hopes we have heard here. There is great diversity, because Africa is obviously very diverse, but one very striking thing that has been mentioned here is how much the African continent needs to speak with one voice, because the colonizers created all the borders.
Reporter: Chadian environmental activist MS. Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim argued that the knowledge of Indigenous peoples is essential to solving the global climate crisis.
Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim: The Global Ethical Stocktake is one of the most important processes for the COP since its inception, because it is a way to establish moral and ethical principles to recognize and respect people as part of the solutions. To put people at the center to protect the Earth along with the rest of humanity.
Reporter: The message that resonated in Addis Ababa was unanimous: Africa is not asking for help but demanding justice and partnership to lead, from its own solutions and in a decolonized way, the building of a more just climate future for all. The demand is that developed nations not only deliver on the USD100 billion annual promise but also double the funds allocated to adaptation. COP30 CEO Ana Toni, who reaffirmed Brasil’s commitment to building a climate conference close to the people, shares this vision.
Ana Toni: It has been a very special moment, with great strength and great unity. That is perhaps the word that stays with me the most—to see how much Africa and Brasil are together in this great collective effort for COP30.
Reporter: The contributions gathered throughout 2025 in the Global Ethical Stocktake will culminate in a global report to be delivered at COP30 in Belém, Pará.
English version: Trad. Bárbara Menezes
Proofreading by Enrique Villamil.