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The Nairobian

Africa urged to join solidarity levies task force for climate action

Environment & Climate

By James Wanzala | Oct 15, 2024

Moses Nderitu - Treasurer, Electric Mobility Association of Kenya (EMAK), Silvia Museiya - Principal Secretary for Wildlife in the Ministry of Tourism and Ambassador Ali Mohammed - Kenya’s Special Envoy on Climate Change engaging in one of the electric buses at the EMAK parade. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard]

Climate Change Envoy for Kenya, Ali Mohamed, is calling on African nations to support the Global Solidarity Levies Task Force (GSLTF), following Denmark’s recent decision to join.

This move strengthens the global push for equitable climate and development finance sources, as countries seek to address the climate crisis through innovative funding mechanisms.

“It was encouraging to see so many countries represented at the table. In the African Leaders’ Nairobi Declaration, we explored comprehensive reforms to the global financial system,” said Mohamed.

He added, “The current structure has hindered the progress of developing nations, and we must find additional, predictable sources of financing. Solidarity levies can play a pivotal role in achieving this, and I urge countries across Africa and the world to support these efforts.”

The task force, convened at COP28 in November 2023 and led by France, Barbados and Kenya, unites countries to develop international levies that raise critical funds for climate action, development, and nature while working to balance the global financial system by making polluters pay.

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This move follows a Paris Pact for People and the Planet (4P) event where world leaders gathered on the margins of the UN General Assembly, to emphasise the need for innovative tools like debt-for-climate swaps, solidarity levies, and climate-resilient debt clauses to tackle financial and climate challenges.

It marks a key step in advancing climate finance solutions ahead of COP30 in 2025, where the task force will propose practical options for international solidarity levies to support a just transition to a net-zero economy.

Laurence Tubiana, co-chair of the taskforce Secretariat and the architect of the Paris Climate Agreement, welcomed Denmark to the taskforce.

“We are delighted to welcome Denmark as a member of the GSLTF, and we thank them for their leadership. Our ambition is to have over 20 members by COP29, ahead of publishing our proposals for solidarity levies next year. Denmark joining brings us one step closer to that aim and we encourage more countries to follow,” he said.

Rasmus Stoklund, the Danish Minister of Taxation, also expressed his joy at his country joining the task force.

“Denmark is leading the way, using taxes and levies to support the green transition. We are facing a global challenge, and I am glad we are joining the Task Force, so Denmark can contribute to the continuing development on an international level – together with strong partners,” said Stoklund.

He added, “The escalating costs of climate change demand urgent action. As a global community, we must do more to scale up climate and development finance through the polluter pays principle. Solidarity levies can generate urgently needed finance while building on a solid precedent.”

Denmark’s participation reflects a growing commitment among both emerging and developed economies to play a key role in shaping global financial policy to address the many challenges faced by developing and vulnerable countries on the frontlines of climate change.

Their addition brings the task force membership to twelve, including France, Kenya, Barbados, Antigua & Barbuda, Senegal, Marshal Islands, Colombia, Spain, Denmark, European Commission (observer), African Union (observer), and Germany (observer).

Countries such as South Africa, the UK, Brazil, Netherlands, Zambia, Portugal, Togo, Ireland, Tuvalu, Burundi, Guatemala, Fiji and Belize, have engaged with the task force.

These countries attended the sherpas meeting or convening of climate community leaders and UNFCCC delegations on solidarity levies, hosted by the International Peace Institute and Oxford Climate Policy.

Sherpas are leaders of each G20 country who take discussions and agreements to the final summit with Heads of State and Government.

The task force is considering how to introduce solidarity levies in five areas like aviation, shipping, financial transactions, fossil fuels and carbon pricing.

Research is currently underway looking at the technical and political feasibility of each levy.

The task force will provide an update on its work at the COP29 which will be held in Baku in Azerbaijan between November 11 to 22, while detailed proposals will be published next year.

Countries from around the world are invited to join the task force and participate in the process of developing new solidarity levies, building political will for their implementation.