Pan-African Parliament urged to lead stronger climate laws as Africa’s climate crisis worsens
By: Abudu Olalekan
Africa’s climate crisis is no longer a distant prospect, but a current reality requiring urgent action. The Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) is calling on the Pan African Parliament (PAP) to take a leading role in developing binding legislation and continental climate governance before further irreversible damage is done.
Speaking before the PAP Committee on Rural Economy, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment today, Wednesday, 22 July 2026, in Midrand, South Africa, PACJA Executive Director Dr. Mithika Mwenda said the climate crisis is a present reality as communities grapple with prolonged droughts, devastating floods, biodiversity loss, and agricultural impacts across the continent.
Congratulating the members on the election of the new Chairperson and Rapporteur of the Committee, Dr. Mwenda observed that the parliamentarians have a mandate from the people who elected them to deliver on climate governance.
“Parliamentarians are the people’s representatives, scrutinizers of government, and approvers of the budget, including the allocation of funds for implementing the national climate action plans. As such, they bear a great responsibility in ensuring that climate legislation is evidence-based and enables the continent to achieve its climate goals,” he said.
According to him, effective climate legislation provides clarity and direction in implementing national climate action plans, including the continental model climate law currently being negotiated.
“The model law will facilitate regional and continental climate adaptation, build resilience, enable sustainable renewable energy, conserve natural resources, and unlock new economic opportunities while advancing the African Union Agenda 2063. Climate legislation cuts across sectors, and thus climate-smart policies and laws will promote sustainable agriculture, water, health, transport, energy, and finance sectors,” he said.
Dr. Mwenda noted that PACJA and PAP have over the years developed excellent relationships and mechanisms for sharing information, enhancing regional collaborations, and promoting climate justice, with the Third Parliamentarians Summit on Climate and Equity held in Midrand, South Africa, in 2023, marking a milestone in the engagements.
“The Third Parliamentarians Summit on Climate and Equity was a great achievement that brought together members of parliament from different regions to share experiences, deliberate on climate justice, and advance Africa’s climate agenda at the global stage. With COP32 scheduled to take place in Ethiopia in 2027, I urge the parliamentarians to invest more in enhancing their knowledge and skills to accelerate legislative processes, enable climate policy implementation, and ensure effective budgeting and accountability for climate finance,” he said.
He further urged the parliamentarians to put people at the center of climate action planning by ensuring that youth, women, indigenous people, and marginalized communities are included and empowered to participate fully in the decision-making processes.
“Climate legislation will enable regional and continental climate adaptation and resilience, promote sustainable renewable energy production and use, natural resource management, and create wealth and economic opportunities while realizing the AU Agenda 2063. Additionally, it will play a crucial role in implementing the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by member states under the Paris Agreement and the Addis Ababa Climate Declaration made during the Africa Climate Summit 2025,” he said.
Africa is a net emitter of greenhouse gasses, but it has the potential to turn the situation around and become a net absorber due to its vast renewable energy, minerals, natural resources, technological innovations, and demographic dividend. With the right leadership and climate legislation, the continent can unlock its potential, leverage the opportunities inherent in the climate crisis, create new jobs, promote sustainable agriculture and energy production, and adapt to the changing environment.
“The continent’s youth and demographic dividend present a unique opportunity to transform Africa into a climate-resilient and prosperous region with sustainable livelihoods, sustainable energy, and food security. I am optimistic that PACJA will continue to support the Parliament in accelerating transformative climate legislation and building lasting partnerships to achieve our collective goals. Indeed, the PACJA Executive Council has given its nod to scaling up preparations for the Fourth Parliamentarians Summit on Climate Justice, which I am confident will exceed the success of the previous ones and lay the groundwork for COP32 and beyond,” he said.
Dr. Mwenda urged his colleagues to rally behind his vision for Africa to be at the forefront of climate justice by developing binding legislation and continental climate governance that is fit for purpose and promotes climate-resilient development while considering Africa’s needs and interests.
“Climate justice requires Africa to respond boldly and innovatively to the crisis while centering the rights and needs of vulnerable populations in the formulation and implementation of policies and programs,” he said.
Olalekan A. Abudu is a seasoned and dedicated News Journalist at REPORTERS ROOM, with over eight years of experience. He specializes in politics, climate change, health, and education, while also covering security, economic, and judicial issues. Committed to accuracy and balanced reporting, Olalekan exemplifies the principles of public-interest journalism.
