The urgent race to net-zero: exploring African priorities for COP26

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs outlines the policy processes and priorities for African nations leading up to COP26. It emphasizes the necessity of aligning Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Long-term Low Emissions Strategies (LTSs) with net-zero trajectories and COVID-19 green recovery plans to achieve a climate-resilient world by 2050.

• Current global climate mitigation and adaptation pledges are insufficient to meet the goals of a zero-carbon, climate-resilient world by mid-century. A UNFCCC synthesis report based on data as of December 31, 2020, indicated that 60% of parties had not yet submitted revised NDCs, including major emitters China and India.
• To align with the IPCC's 1.5°C temperature goal, global emission reductions must decline by approximately 45% from 2010 levels by 2030 and reach net zero around 2050. For a limit of 2°C, CO2 emissions must decrease by about 25% and reach net zero by 2070.
• African nations are utilizing NDCs and LTSs to drive transition, with South Africa and Rwanda cited as leaders. South Africa has implemented a Low Emissions Development Strategy 2050 and a Presidential Climate Change Commission, while Rwanda's revised NDC targets a 38% reduction in GHG emissions compared to business as usual by 2030, with an estimated implementation cost of $11 billion.
• Climate finance remains a critical barrier for Africa. Developed countries failed to meet the 2020 commitment of $100 billion annually for vulnerable countries. Developing nations requested $373 billion in international climate financing in the most recent NDC round, with Ethiopia alone quoting $236 billion. South Africa has proposed increasing its yearly climate funding from $2 billion to $8 billion by 2030.
• There is an urgent need to align COVID-19 green recovery measures with NDCs and LTSs. This includes shifting away from fossil fuel-dependent models by ending fossil-fuel subsidies and bailouts for polluting industries, and integrating climate risks into all financial and policy decisions.
• African priorities for COP26 include the operationalization of the global goal on adaptation, the creation of a carbon market to finance adaptation, and the integration of nature-based solutions into the Paris implementation strategy. Additionally, there is a strong push for youth inclusion, noting that nearly 60% of Africa's population is under 25.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2021). The urgent race to net-zero: exploring African priorities for COP26. https://saiia.org.za/research/the-urgent-race-to-net-zero-exploring-african-priorities-for-cop26/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. The urgent race to net-zero: exploring African priorities for COP26. 2021. https://saiia.org.za/research/the-urgent-race-to-net-zero-exploring-african-priorities-for-cop26/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=The urgent race to net-zero: exploring African priorities for COP26 |date=23 June 2021 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/the-urgent-race-to-net-zero-exploring-african-priorities-for-cop26/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2021urgent, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{The urgent race to net-zero: exploring African priorities for COP26}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2021}, month = jun, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/the-urgent-race-to-net-zero-exploring-african-priorities-for-cop26/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }