DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES FROM MEMBERS OF THE AFRICAN DISAPORA ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE

November 14, 2022

On occasion of the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (“COP 27”) convened in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt from November 6th – 18th, 2022, members of the African diaspora serving as representatives of Parties to the Convention, Observer States and Observers agreed to the following Declaration of Principles in support of energy policies in line with the Paris Climate Accords:

We, members of the African diaspora –

  • Supportthe official proceedings of COP 27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt and acknowledge the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). 
  • Understandthat climate change is happening, and that poorer people, poorer communities and poorer countries are especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and are increasingly likely to face negative consequences more severely and more quickly.
  • Acknowledgethat climate change poses a serious risk to global economic development efforts and that a fundamental energy policy objective must be to prioritize equity, adaptation, mitigation, poverty reduction and sustainable development efforts.
  • Resolvethat adaptation measures must not replace the urgent need for continued commitment to adopt effective emissions reduction strategies universally especially in countries that are primarily responsible for global greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Validatethe essential role that Black American and African leadership in the energy industry must play in developing more equitable policies for the future and in dismantling the legacies of environmental injustice, economic exploitation, and racism as we confront the global emergency of climate change.
  • Strongly supportthe Biden Administration’s U.S.-Africa Leader’s Summit and call for greater collaboration between States on the African continent and the United States to promote more equitable energy policies to promote economic development and to protect the most vulnerable communities from the effects of climate change.
  • Recognizethat nearly one billion people do not have access to electricity, 1.6 billion people live in inadequate, unsafe housing, and two billion people do not have access to clean drinking water in their homes; therefore, the expansion and use of appropriate and convivial technologies with zero or near zero greenhouse gas emission and the highest possible energy efficiencies is essential to increase access to basic products and services for human survival, quality of life, and human dignity and worth.

Resolved,the respective signers of this Declaration of Principles represented in this declaration acknowledge the American Association of Blacks in Energy (“AABE”) and empower members of the African diaspora in attendance at COP 27 to pursue the following:

  1. Establishing an informal dialogue between AAB interested parties and individuals from the continent of Africa, and other stakeholders interested in strengthening ties within the African diaspora.

Contact:
Camille Moore
2027130832 Phone
cmoore@aabe.org

Terms of Use   |   © Copyright 2024 American Association of Blacks in Energy. Site by Filnet.