African leaders have called for the introduction of climate taxes to fund green projects and mitigate the effects of climate change in the continent, at a regional conference held in Nairobi, Kenya, on Tuesday. The conference, organized by the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN), brought together representatives from 54 African countries to discuss the challenges and opportunities of the transition to a low-carbon economy.
The leaders said that climate taxes, such as carbon taxes or environmental levies, were necessary to generate revenue for investing in renewable energy, adaptation measures, and disaster relief. They also said that climate taxes would create incentives for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable development.
According to a statement issued by the AU, the leaders agreed to “develop and implement national and regional climate tax policies and frameworks that are fair, transparent, and effective”. They also agreed to “enhance cooperation and coordination among African countries and with international partners on climate tax issues”. They urged developed countries to fulfill their commitments to provide financial and technical support to developing countries in their efforts to combat climate change.