The three-day African Climate Summit concluded in Nairobi Wednesday as the continent's leaders announced their support for a global carbon tax regime — a tariff system they hope will disincentivize the fossil fuel use that is primarily causing global heating. In the process, however, the politicians underscored the rifts within the movement to address climate change.
The support for global carbon taxes was announced by Kenyan President William Ruto, who explained that the joint declaration among the African nations would serve as the basis of their negotiating position in November's COP28 summit. In addition to advocating for global carbon taxes, the Nairobi leaders argued for debt relief for African nations and further investments into their respective economies. They also argued that, when it comes to climate change, the African nations would through their own actions serve as a model for the rest of the world to follow.
